26/08/2023

"It is much more varied than a road race" - Wout van Aert eager for gravel racing stint and victorious in Houfallize

Wout van Aert has had a very busy winter and road season. Since January he's been going all-out for several different goals with short rest periods, but now he's had the opportunity. Returning to racing now in the season finale, he'll be having a stint in gravel racing.

“It was certainly necessary and it did me good. This race is now the first small step towards the last part of the season," van Aert told VTM. “It is the first time that I ride such a race. I'm curious how it will go. I have no idea how intensive it is, so it will be a bit of looking at first.”

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He will be racing the European Championships in Drenthe where he'll have the opportunity to still take on an important jersey and victory to end his season on the road. "That's something I want to work towards this year". He rode and won today's race in Houfallize as he begins to prepare towards the Gravel World Championships which take place in early October.

“I used to love riding my bike through the woods. Since the pandemic, the sport has boomed seriously and it is a nice change to train at home. I was often jealous of colleagues of mine, so I like to be there. I just want to have fun today," he concludes.

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This Saturday in Houfallize, he took a comfortable win. “I didn't know what to expect. In the beginning I wanted to follow first and that worked out well. I felt the bike was okay and I could ride downhill well," he told Wielerflits. "At one point I opted for my own pace on a climb and that's how I ended up in front.” The Belgian won the race with over 9 minutes of lead, ahead of the rest of the field.

“It is a real endurance sport. The course of the race may seem boring, but it remains a challenge to stay upright and avoid punctures. It is much more varied than a road race. I think it's great to do. We wanted to ride here to test the material, so I am now looking forward to riding the World Cup and ending the season. When I start there, it's to do the best I can and it's to try to get that title. I expect a different field there and we will see what is possible. Today I certainly enjoyed myself and sometimes that is also important."