"He can be very hard on himself at times" - Wout Van Aert's teammates relieved to see him win again

Riders of Team Visma | Lease a Bike were finally rewarded for their effort with a victory served by Wout Van Aert on stage 9 of Giro d'Italia. Normally a born champion, Van Aert had to fight not only his opponent Isaac Del Toro, but also the shadows of recent defeats.

"We've been on the fence all week," Steven Kruijswijk told Sporza after the stage. The plan to strike had already been made, according to the Dutch veteran. "Wout had indicated this stage in advance, but he wasn't really at his best all week. So we knew it would be difficult, but I've never seen anyone who can set his mind on something like that, change his mind like that and then go for it like that."

From on outside view, it may have seemed like Van Aert was on the verge of another bitter loss. But as it turns out, his vast experience kicked in on the sterrato roads. "I am certain that he knew exactly what he was doing. I also heard that he had everything under control. It was undoubtedly a beautiful stage to watch," according to Kruijswijk.

"He can be very hard on himself at times, but this only makes it better now," Wilco Kelderman spent quite some time next to the Belgian to know well that recent defeats were not easy to accept for Van Aert. "Wout and I have known each other for longer than today of course. I also like working for him. Especially after this season and last season I am happy that he could put his arms in the air again."

The Dutchman himself didn't break too much sweat on Sunday as his commands will ideally see him fight it out on gravel in completely different altitudes (stage 20 with gravel sector on Colle delle Finestre).

That gives him enough time and space to admire the achievement of his colleague: "It's just really impressive. Wout didn't start the Giro fit, but now he wins such a difficult stage." Kelderman had seen that coming too. "Of course we knew he could do this. He's already won this race (Strade Bianche, ed.), right? Wout can do this, but everything had to go well."