Michele Bartoli scolds Wout van Aert in Milano-Sanremo absence: "When you expect something from him, he doesn't deliver"
Cycling
While the cycling world marvelled at the breathtaking battle
between Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogacar, and Filippo Ganna at last
weekend’s Milano-Sanremo, one name was conspicuously missing from the start
list: Wout van Aert.
The Belgian star, who memorably won the Italian Monument in
2020, opted to sit out the first Monument of 2025, a decision that’s drawn
criticism from some quarters, particularly given the seismic showdown that
unfolded in his absence.
Van Aert’s attention is now firmly on the E3 Saxo Bank
Classic, where he lines up today. It will be his first major test of the
cobbled classics campaign, a spring season in which he’ll once again attempt to
conquer the sport’s two roughest Monuments: the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.
In both, he will have to contend with the formidable presence of Van der Poel
and Pogacar, arguably the two most dominant riders of the current era.
Former Monument winner Michele Bartoli, speaking to La
Gazzetta dello Sport, didn’t shy away from expressing his doubts about Van
Aert’s absence in Italy.
"Apart from Filippo Ganna, Wout van Aert is the only
one who could still win," Bartoli said, referring to Van Aert’s potential
to disrupt the Van der Poel–Pogacar dominance.
Yet despite this recognition of Van Aert’s talent, Bartoli
questioned the Belgian’s approach to the early season.
"But when you expect something from him, he doesn't
deliver. I also wonder why he didn't participate in Milan-Sanremo. He says he
trains, but he has to measure himself against the others. Training alone is not
enough, he also has to race."
It’s a sharp critique, but one that taps into a familiar
narrative surrounding Van Aert: despite his consistency and immense ability, he
has sometimes fallen short in the moments where the spotlight shines brightest.
With the likes of Van der Poel already adding another Monument to his growing
tally, questions naturally arise about Van Aert’s timing and readiness heading
into the most crucial part of his campaign.
Meanwhile, Ganna, who finished second at Sanremo, continues
to win admirers. Bartoli included the Italian in the conversation when
discussing potential Paris-Roubaix contenders.
"He is in top form and certainly a serious candidate to
win Paris-Roubaix for example," Bartoli acknowledged. "However,
Mathieu van der Poel and especially Tadej Pogacar, if he starts, remain the top
favourites. If Pogacar is at the start somewhere, he is always the top favourite."
That last point captures the gravity of Pogacar’s presence.
Even in the brutal terrain of Paris-Roubaix (a race he has never contested) his
name still carries top billing among pre-race favourites. And following his
Cipressa attack at Sanremo, where he and Ganna shattered a decades-old climbing
record before being outsprinted by Van der Poel, Pogacar once again
demonstrated his ability to rewrite what is considered possible in one-day
racing.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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