"I didn't really feel good anywhere" - Wout van Aert talks through brutal time-trial and near-victory

Wout van Aert hasn't been training on the time-trial bike and today at the Volta ao Algarve he was an outsider but perhaps behind several other riders when it came to the chances of winning the stage. At the end of the day, he was in the hot seat most of the day, and finished second only to Jonas Vingegaard.

“I really do look at the climbers, because this time trial is quite tough. The approach to the final climb was also hilly. You couldn't really pace yourself and ride at a controlled pace," van Aert shared with Eurosport.

The time-trial had 17 undulating kilometers, mostly flat, and then a 2-kilometer ascent where the gradients hit double digits at certain points. He made the decision to switch to the road bike at the base of the Malhão, and got himself in the provisional lead at the time, beating Jakov Soderqvist.

Read also

Jonas Vingegaard wins Volta ao Algarve after brutal time-trial victory

But getting himself to that position was no easy feat, and the Belgian really suffered to finish that high up in the day. “I didn't really feel good anywhere. I suffered and felt uncomfortable, but those are often the best time trials. I am also happy, because I am still up against strong men".

“We did a good change. After that I quickly went up the climb and that is why I am happy. It is difficult to say whether I would have ridden the same on a time trial bike," he continued. "I could stand better on my road bike, so for me it was the right choice. Now we have to see how it will work out.”

On the way, he beat the likes of Filippo Ganna and Stefan Küng by a long margin, and his main opponents were actually Antonio Tiberi whose form improved significantly on the queen stage, and finally Jonas Vingegaard who successfully improved van Aert's time, taking the stage and overall win in the process - making it a successful day for Team Visma | Lease a Bike.

Read also

"A time trial like this suits me well" - Jonas Vingegaard takes double victory as he tears down GC rivals at Algarve

Primoz Roglic shrugs off Algarve disappointment: "I feel I'm exactly where I should be at this early stage"

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Unlock your ultimate cycling experience—subscribe today for access to the latest cycling news

Subscribe