"Guys like Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel... They definitely have the advantage" - Wout van Aert unsure on Rainbow Jersey chances despite stunning Vuelta

Wout van Aert has been well and truly back to his brilliant best at the 2024 Vuelta a Espana. Three stage wins and, as of the second rest day, both the points classification and King of the Mountains classification lead, the Belgian is positioning himself well to challenge for the Rainbow Jersey in Zurich.

"You have to look at the course and the opposition. Against a lot of guys, a tough course would be good for me, but guys like Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel will make it difficult for me. They definitely have an advantage," insists Van Aert however, via the Sporza Daily podcast. "It will be a World Championship in an underdog role. With a few good training blocks I can then go to Zurich after the European Championship with a fresh head."

After a spring ending crash earlier this year at Dwars door Vlaanderen, Van Aert failed to really set the world alight at the 2024 Tour de France. At the Vuelta a Espana however, the Belgian looks to finally have seen the back of any lingering injuries and/or loss of confidence that resulted.

"I just think I needed time," he explains. "In the first place, I had underestimated my injuries a bit. I thought I would return quickly, but I soon found out that it wouldn't go that smoothly. This summer I probably also needed the Tour de France to take a step forward. It's actually just logic that I had to respect."

Finally, Van Aert also casts an eye to the upcoming winter where his attentions will again turn to cyclocross. "I don't have any specific plans yet," the cross discipline star explains however. "I want to extend my season until early October and after my rest period I'll see how we tackle the winter."