12/10/2022

"Champions race for those kinds of records" - Boonen doubts Wout van Aert can achieve Belgian's spring classics record

Tom Boonen is one of the most experienced and successful classics riders in the history of pro cycling, and in Wout van Aert he finds a rider of similar capabilities i the classics. He's talked about his compatriot's situation.

“The only thing missing this year is a Monument, they say. But that's also all that matters," the former Quick-Step rider said in an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws. "A rider of his level is racing to win those races. It's nice to be called the best rider in the world for months, but that's not the point. Wout has to win classics. Ask him himself: he will also say that that is what he wants."

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At the same time, I don't want to be too strict," he continued. Wout van Aert has seen Jumbo-Visma reinforce it's classics team into 2022, with Tiesj Benoot and Christophe Laporte specifically making for a big difference. The depth the Dutch team obtained helped them through the spring, as they no longer depended only on van Aert.

The multi-talent has however won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the E3 Saxo Bank Classic, and was on track to be the men to beat at the Tour des Flandres. He was infected with Covid-19 days before, a massive blow. "Wout was having a very nice spring and he had the bad luck that he dropped out due to corona at a crucial moment, just before the Tour of Flanders. The result was hard: once again lost a chance to win the [Paris -] Roubaix.”

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Van Aert still managed to return to competition in time to finish both Paris-Roubaix and Liège-Bastogne-Liège on the podium, and continue onto a very successful season. However he's failed to take one of the cobbled monuments.

“Make no mistake: meanwhile, the years are ticking. I am convinced that he will still succeed, but will he win the Ronde three times and Roubaix four times? Champions race for those kinds of records," Boonen said.