Wout van Aert has long been known for his incredible stamina and strength on the bike, and on Monday, the Belgian cyclist once again showcased just how formidable he is—this time by shocking fans and followers with his relentless work ethic. Only a day after finishing second at the World Championships, Van Aert’s commitment to his training schedule left many astonished.
A Grueling Post-Race Workout
Van Aert, who had already made it clear that his schedule would remain tight after the World Cup, adhered to a rigorous routine the very next day. Despite the physically demanding nature of the race, he jumped back into training with full intensity. “My coach (Mathieu Heijboer) is very afraid that I will get sidetracked. Because on Monday I have to train for 6 hours,” Van Aert had joked before the race, alluding to the difficulty of balancing competition and training.
However, his coach had no reason to worry. After finishing second in the World Championships, Van Aert was not at all disappointed with his performance. He expressed satisfaction with his effort, saying, “I’m happy with the race I rode, I’m happy that I was here at the start.” A cheerful Van Aert quickly shifted gears, jumping back into training mode.
The following day, Van Aert proved his commitment by riding a staggering six hours on the bike, covering a total of 168 kilometers. He wasn’t alone in this endeavor either—fellow cyclist Daan Soete accompanied him during the grueling ride. It was a clear indication that Van Aert is focused on the road ahead, particularly as he looks towards his upcoming spring season.
A Surprise Stop at the Chip Shop
On Sunday evening, just hours after his World Championship race, Van Aert managed to surprise fans in a less traditional way. He stopped by a local chip shop, ‘t Friethuisje in Deinze, where he made an impromptu appearance. The staff and customers were pleasantly surprised by the visit, with Van Aert posing for a quick photo with the chip shop crew. It was a moment of light-heartedness after a physically demanding weekend, and it also showed that Van Aert is, despite his grueling schedule, still enjoying the simple pleasures of life.
Focused on the Spring
Reflecting on the day’s training, Van Aert mentioned that while he didn’t learn anything groundbreaking, he had received confirmation that his fitness is steadily improving. “I didn’t necessarily learn anything today that I didn’t already know, it was just confirmation that my fitness is improving. I’m on my way to the level that I’ll need in the spring,” he said. This mentality shows that Van Aert is already looking ahead to the spring season, where he will likely take on even more challenges and continue to build on his already impressive form.
Wout van Aert’s ability to recover and jump straight back into intense training after such a demanding race demonstrates his incredible discipline and commitment. As he gears up for the upcoming road season, it’s clear that this athlete is driven to maintain—and even exceed—his already elite level of performance.
