“If you change jersey, you’ll go even faster” - Wout van Aert pokes fun at fan wearing Van der Poel jersey during Strade Bianche recon

Preparations for Strade Bianche are rarely quiet, but Wout van Aert still found time for a light-hearted moment while scouting the gravel roads around Siena.

During a reconnaissance ride ahead of Saturday’s race, the Belgian rider crossed paths with a Spanish cycling fan who proudly showed him a video on his phone from a previous encounter between the two.

The pair had ridden together last year during a reconnaissance of Paris-Roubaix, tackling the famous cobbles of the Trouee d’Arenberg. When Van Aert saw the footage of himself again, he laughed. “A bit faster, eh,” he joked, before noticing the jersey the fan was wearing.

The rider had turned up in the colours of Alpecin-Premier Tech, the team led by Van Aert’s long-time rival Mathieu van der Poel. With a grin, the Belgian delivered the punchline. “If you change jersey, you’ll go even faster.”

The clip, shared by the fan who has a large following on social media, quickly began circulating online as another glimpse of the relaxed atmosphere riders often experience during reconnaissance rides before major races.

Behind the humour, Van Aert’s presence in Tuscany marks a notable return. The Belgian has not raced Strade Bianche since 2021, despite boasting one of the strongest records among the current contenders.

Across four previous appearances, he has finished on the podium three times, including his commanding victory in 2020.

That win came after a decisive attack on the gravel roads before Van Aert powered up the brutally steep Via Santa Caterina climb to the finish in Siena’s Piazza del Campo.

His earlier results already hinted at his affinity with the race. Van Aert finished third on debut in 2018 and repeated that result in 2019 before claiming victory the following year.

The nature of Strade Bianche has long suited Van Aert’s skill set. The combination of gravel sectors, short explosive climbs and constant positioning battles rewards riders with strong bike handling and repeated bursts of power.

Van Aert’s cyclocross background has always made him particularly comfortable on the sterrato roads of Tuscany.

His last appearance came in 2021, when he finished 13th before the race disappeared from his programme in the seasons that followed.

Now back on the startline for the 2026 edition, the Belgian returns to a race where he has consistently been among the strongest riders whenever he has lined up. And if the light-hearted exchange during his reconnaissance ride is any indication, he arrives in Siena both relaxed and ready for the challenge ahead.