🇮🇹 #Veneto2023 Never give up.
"I don't think I'll meet a teammate like that again" - Wout van Aert's message to Nathan van Hooydonck
CyclingWednesday, 11 October 2023 at 13:20
Nathan van Hooydonck has just hung up the wheels but beforehand, he experienced an amazing season and few years with Jumbo-Visma. He was awarded with the best domestique award at the Belgian Gala van de Kristallen Fiets and had a message from Wout van Aert dedicated to him.
“We always said he was someone you could build a house on. You can't really describe him any better. He has a super positive attitude, is a top professional and always takes care of all the details," van Aert said in a video. “I have never ridden with a teammate who could get so much satisfaction from helping someone else. It was unbelievable how he threw himself. I don't think I'll meet a teammate like that again. I would like to congratulate you on winning the 'Crystal Sweat Drop'. I think it's a very mixed feeling for you to win that prize. Unfortunately, it is the crowning achievement of your career, but it should have just been a stopover.”
Having joined Jumbo-Visma in 2021, he spent three seasons alongside van Aert, being a core part of the spring classics block, but also supporting the Dutch team to Tour de France victory in both 2022 and 2023. A great rouleur and road captain, he ends his career without pro victories however as one of the best domestiques in recent years. He finished second to teammate Tiesj Benoot and Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne this spring, showcasing his quality - besides finishing on the Top20 of E3 Saxo Classic, Gent-Wevelgem, Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.
“It's scary how hard the last month has been for me, let alone you and your family. I'm going to miss you,” the Belgian added. “Of course there will be a second life and you will succeed in that, I am 100% sure. We won't let you go. See you soon somewhere along the way. Congratulations, buddy.”
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- happy holidays.OCexile17-12-2024
- Nonsense Mistermaumau. Tom has noticeably more character and personality than Mathieu. Look at the photograph with this article - when was the last time you saw Mathieu crack a smile like that?RupertBear17-12-2024
- Get over yourself! Tom is fine, he's quite a character in his way - he's got a great sense of humour for a start. Watch him and Matt Stephens do one of their cafe rides, they're both a hoot. I don't mind Mathieu, but he's a bit of a cold fish in case you haven't noticed. You guys make me laugh, you get a unique rider like Tom appears on the scene and all you can do is bitch! By the way Senna, your use of a comma and then the lack of a space between words is usually an indicator of ASD. Now I'm being bitchy!RupertBear17-12-2024
- Whining isn’t a good look, Lance. Oh and doping or not, the GOAT is still Eddy Merckx imho - lance couldn’t t even come close when you compare resultsCrashjames16-12-2024
- * not taking anything away from the tireless sacrifices wout has made as a superstar. those are two extraordinary individuals.OCexile16-12-2024
- sadly true. mathieu is the bedrock AD was built on, and he’s always shouldered that role and always seen the bigger picture: took MUCH less money than he could have gotten while the team was growing, and has written them new book on what it means to be a completely selfless superstar, witness every ferocious leadout for jasper and what he did at MSR last year. yup, so far that’s not thomas.OCexile16-12-2024
- ...you could also add diminuer,etiquette,basic PR skills and respect all of which Pidcock lacks in abundance.Senna196016-12-2024
- Just like Remco should have ;-)Mistermaumau16-12-2024
- And you base that on which vast amount of knowledge you have on him please?Mistermaumau16-12-2024
- Not only that but what MVDP did at AD had a lot to do with a personality that TP will never have.Mistermaumau16-12-2024