"I certainly do not consider myself out of contention" - Can Wout van Aert challenge Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel at World Championships?
Cycling
Wout van Aert jump-started his season after Tour de France disappointment this week at the Tour of Denmark, and he believes he can be ready and roaring at the World Championships. But can he rival high-flying duo Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel? The Paris Roubaix winner doesn't see why not.
The Visma | Lease a Bike rider strolled to three stage wins and the overall victory in Denmark this week, winning three in a row before a breakaway spoiled the party on stage four and he found himself boxed in come the final sprint on stage five.
Speaking candidly after his Denmark stint was wrapped up, van Aert opened up on a difficult period leaving him enviously glancing at the Tour de France as he was forced to change his plans.
“It may sound strange, but I would rather not have been here and would have preferred to ride the Tour de France,” he told HLN.
“It was not a pleasant period, but you always have to be ready to change your plans. I am really looking forward to everything that is still to come this autumn.”
Visma rider missed Tour de France
Of course, the 31-year-old was alluding to his June setback after suffering a training crash, a wound on his elbow failed to heal as he was racing the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes. An infection saw him leave that race and derailled his Tour preparation. Ultimately, van Aert lost the race against time to make La Grand Boucle.
Taking the disappointment on the chin, he re-focused on Denmark and now looks towards the Vuelta a Espana as an attractive proposition to chase stage wins.
However, with the time trial position still causing pain from the Tour-ending injury, he admitted that discipline may be on the back burner for a while.
“Supporting myself in the time trial position caused a lot of pain,” he said. “But we will work extremely hard on that over the coming weeks. The whole first week looks attractive. We will be going for stage wins because there are opportunities.”
Wout van Aert on stage 5 of the 2026 Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Vuelta and World Championships goal
With the Vuelta a Espana wrapping up on September 13th, the World Championships are also on the Visma rider's mind. Making no secret of his ambitions to wear the rainbow stripes, van Aert admitted that both Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel are the favourites.
Noting his strong performances in Montreal in the past, he refused to rule himself out as a contender.
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He said: “Tadej and Remco are different types of riders to me. It is a hard course and it will always be right on the limit for me. But I have finished second in Montréal before.
“If I am at my absolute best, I definitely have a chance. I certainly do not consider myself out of contention, and that is why I want to go all in.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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