Wout van Aert made one small ‘child step’ in his rehabilitation from a knee damage that knocked him out of the Vuelta a España whereas main each the factors and mountains classification. On Wednesday, he walked 2.74 kilometres along with his companion Sarah De Bie and proudly posted his file to Strava.
Van Aert crashed on a moist descent on stage 16 to Lagos de Covadonga on September 3 and suffered a bruised bone close to his knee, an damage that referred to as an early finish to his season, forcing him to overlook the UCI Highway World Championships.
It was the second main blow of the season for the Belgian, who crashed throughout the Dwars door Vlaanderen in March and suffered a number of fractures that excluded him from the remainder of the Spring Classics and the Giro d’Italia, which was to be his foremost purpose of the season.
Van Aert returned in time for the Tour de France however was shut out of any stage wins, coming third within the opening stage and second within the sprints on phases 12 and 13. A bronze medal within the Olympic Video games time trial signalled his return to prime type and he gained three phases of the Vuelta a España earlier than crashing out.
Final week, he advised Dernier Heure that dealing with one other rehabilitation was been tough however he regarded on the brilliant facet. “I can take away a whole lot of positives from this season, I’ve gained Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, completed third in Het Nieuwsblad and E3,” Van Aert stated.
“I feel my type within the Vuelta was the very best because the 2022 Tour de France. That is all essential mentally and for additional down the road.
“It is necessary to relativize the whole lot, it isn’t been my finest season, and I’ve had a whole lot of setbacks. However I am very pleased with what I may do.”
Visma-Lease a Bike will need to have agreed as a result of they prolonged an open-ended contract to Van Aert that may final till he decides to retire.
“The workforce took the initiative and confirmed confidence in breaking open my contract,” Van Aert stated final week. “For me, there was little doubt: I wished to increase.
“However I’ve additionally turned 30 within the meantime. You then ask your self the query: how lengthy do I wish to proceed as a rider? That is how we determined collectively to not put an finish date on my profession and to make a long-term dedication. I feel that is actually cool and I am very pleased with it.
“I by no means have to fret about contracts or transfers once more. I do know the workforce and the best way it really works in and out. Any more it is simply biking for me.”
