"If we keep pushing every day, things could also go completely wrong with Wout" - Visma DS is aware of Van Aert's limitations after pre-Giro illness

Wout van Aert began the Giro d'Italia with limited ambitions due to the illness that affected him after Amstel Gold Race, but nevertheless almost rode to a stage win on the first day of the race. It was a confidence booster and so there were high hopes that he could race into the pink jersey in the time-trial, but his lack of peak form showed itself against the clock.

“Roglic and Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe don’t want to keep the pink jersey now, so I expect Lidl-Trek to pull the peloton in Sunday’s stage to let Pedersen grab the bonus seconds and reclaim the pink jersey," Visma DS Marc Reef told Het Laatste Nieuws. And so it's tactic for stage 3 will likely be more conservative, but still keeping the Belgian in mind.

“If that opportunity arises, we will definitely try. But we certainly don’t want to just focus on wearing that pink jersey and let ourselves be completely squeezed out because of it. If we keep pushing every day, things could also go completely wrong with Wout. We have to be smart".

The team have to be cautious with how much van Aert will be used throughout the three weeks, taking into consideration that he will focus on the time-trials and some hilly days, be a leadout for Olav Kooij in the bunch sprints and potentially help Simon Yates in the mountains. Some days he will likely take it easier, and try to grow into his best form throughout the Corsa Rosa.

“Wout’s base is very narrow due to that illness," Reef believes. "Then it is possible that you have not fully recovered the day after from the heavy efforts he had to make on Friday to hang on and be able to sprint for the win. Friday was a positive surprise for Wout and us, Saturday we saw how things really are with Wout at the moment.”