Wout van Aert, born on September 15, 1994, in Herentals, Flanders, Belgium, has solidified his place among the elite cyclists of his generation. Known for his exceptional skills in both cyclocross and road racing, van Aert has built a reputation not only for his versatility but also for his incredible power and athleticism on the bike. Though cycling runs in the van Aert family, with a distant cousin, Jos van Aert, having been a professional rider, Wout’s rise to fame is entirely his own, and his journey from junior victories to world-class success is one of determination and perseverance.
Early Career and Breakthrough
Van Aert’s career began with notable success in cyclocross, where he quickly became one of the sport’s brightest stars. His major breakthrough came during the 2011-12 season when he claimed the junior race at the Cyclo-cross Ruddervoorde in Belgium. From there, he dominated the junior circuit, finishing second at both the Belgian and World Junior Championships. By 2013, van Aert had claimed the U23 Cyclo-cross Superprestige and finished second in the U23 World Cup behind Mathieu Van der Poel, a fierce rival from the same generation.
While his success in cyclocross was undeniable, van Aert faced the challenge of adapting to the demands of road cycling, a transition that would require him to refine his physical abilities and fine-tune his approach.
Overcoming Physical Challenges
A major obstacle for van Aert when transitioning from cyclocross to road cycling was his high VLamax, a measure of an athlete’s glycolytic energy system. VLamax refers to the rate at which lactate is produced during exercise, and it plays a crucial role in determining a rider’s ability to perform in different types of races. For a cyclocross rider like van Aert, a high VLamax is an advantage for short, explosive races but can be detrimental during longer road races.
As van Aert explains, “When you burn all your carbohydrates in the first hour of a 6-hour road race, you have a serious problem.” This insight led him to modify his training to reduce his VLamax and improve his endurance. He adopted specialized “FatMax” training, involving uphill repetitions and a combination of high and low cadence intervals, to shift his energy system to burn more fat and conserve carbohydrates for later in the race.
Wout’s Road to Grand Tour Success
Despite his strength and versatility, van Aert’s coach, Marc Lamberts, has been cautious about predicting his potential for a Tour de France victory. “Top 10, that’s possible. But he cannot win the Tour,” Lamberts states. The challenge lies in van Aert’s body composition, which does not align with the physical demands of a pure climber. However, Lamberts emphasizes that with further adjustments to his body composition and a focus on climbing, van Aert could one day compete for a Grand Tour podium.
Currently, van Aert’s explosive power on flat stages and his ability to perform in time trials and sprints make him a formidable contender in one-day races and the classic spring events. His versatility ensures that he can remain a dominant figure in the sport for years to come, but whether he can evolve into a true Grand Tour contender remains to be seen.
The Future of Wout van Aert
As van Aert continues to dominate in both road racing and cyclocross, his future in the sport looks incredibly bright. While a Tour de France victory may not be in the cards for now, his immense power, strategic approach to training, and willingness to adapt to the demands of different race formats position him as one of the most powerful cyclists in the world. His journey is a testament to the evolution of an athlete willing to push the limits of what is possible.
