"He just doesn't give up... truly an ideal leader": Visma's domestique praises Wout van Aert ahead of racing return

Wout van Aert will return to road racing this Sunday at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, marking his first competitive appearance since his victory at Paris-Roubaix. Ahead of the event, the Visma | Lease a Bike rider received high praise from his teammate Owain Doull.

The 33-year-old Welshman joined the team over the winter after four years with EF Education-EasyPost, and he recently shared his thoughts on the transition during an appearance on the Watts Occurring podcast. "It is certainly a change, but it has been really mega so far. I really love it," Doull said.

The move brought Doull into a roster featuring major Grand Tour contenders, including Jonas Vingegaard, whom he described directly. "A top guy," Doull stated.

Doull was equally impressed by his experiences working alongside Van Aert. He emphasized that the Belgian rider's attitude and work ethic make him a standout figure within the squad.

"The best person in the world. I already told him after he won Roubaix that I don't think I had ever been so happy that someone I knew for such a short time had won such a big race. He is really everything you want from a leader."

"He is humble, kind, includes everyone, and really appreciates what the whole team does for him," he continued. "He also has a massive work ethic. He just doesn't give up... truly an ideal leader."

Doull was part of the lineup during Van Aert's successful run at Paris-Roubaix. He recalled riding through the Carrefour de l'Arbre sector after his own work for the team was finished, describing the moment he realized Van Aert had won the race.

"My race was pretty much done quite early. I just did what the team wanted me to do. I came through the Carrefour. It was quiet and everyone was looking at a screen. Out of nowhere, I hear a lot of noise. Everyone is going crazy."

At that point, Doull did not have direct confirmation of the race situation, but the reaction of the spectators on the roadside gave him a clear indication of the outcome.

"I thought: either a Frenchman won, or Wout. I wasn't aware of the situation at all. I did think: if Pogacar or Van der Poel had won, the reaction from all these neutral people on the cobblestones wouldn't have been the same. People were really going wild. I only heard: Wout, Wout, Wout! I was really cheering and giving people high fives."