“Not all chamois pads are created equal" - Wout van Aert suffers same problem almost every amateur cyclist has experienced in off-season spin
Cycling
Wout van Aert, like all amateur cyclists, is not immune to things going wrong while on the bike. Like the best of us, the Visma | Lease a Bike great does sometimes endure an uncomfortable ride on his bike. Despite riding thousands of kilometres per season, the Belgian's behind sometimes needs time to readjust to training.
The 32-year-old is enjoying a well-earned off-season following a rollercoaster season that saw him win Paris Roubaix, miss out on the Tour de France with an elbow infection and then return with a bang at the Vuelta a Espana and play a major part in the World Championships road race.
Back in Flanders and looking ahead to the 2027 season, van Aert went out for a two-hour spin around Blankenberge, Bruges and Knocke in the west of the country. With over 63 kilometres taken in, van Aert uploaded his activity to Strava with a light-hearted title: "Not all chamois pads are created equal".
Indicating that the ride had been particularly rough on his backside, he pointed to the chamois in cycling bib shorts being not up to speed with what he's used to - something almost every amateur cyclist has likely experienced at one point or another.
Meanwhile, van Aert recently admitted that he is taking a realistic attitude towards his major goals moving forward in 2027. After the soaring heights of Paris-Roubaix victory, the Belgian rider knows that a Tour of Flanders win is not out of the picture.
Wout van Aert
Tour of Flanders goal
Of course, his Roubaix victory brought a new belief and sense of accomplishment in terms of his career, but the Visma | Lease a Bike leader knows that Tadej Pogacar, Mathieu van der Poel and even Remco Evenepoel are huge hurdles in the way of a Flanders win.
He said: "Those previous big victories aren't even that far behind us, but back then it felt more like a logical next step in my development as a cyclist. This time, for me and for everyone else, it was much more of a release. The word ‘finally’ comes up a lot. I noticed that in the reactions, too. Apparently, I’ve made a lot of people happy.
“To be honest, I didn’t expect to pull it off this year either. That teaches me that I have to keep trying. There are riders who have better odds, but there are also very few riders who get opportunities like I do. That opportunity could come at any time, and when it does, I have to be ready. The same goes for the Tour of Flanders.”
Pogacar and Evenepoel among challengers
And so, Van Aert knows his belief and motivation is there, backed up by his Roubaix triumph. However, he warned that Pogacar and Evenepoel in particular are formidable opponents in the race.
"At the same time, it’s no coincidence that I succeeded in Roubaix of all places. It’s one of the few classics where I have a more than realistic chance.
“The Tour of Flanders is getting tougher and tougher, especially with [Tadej] Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel in the field. I have to keep believing in myself, but also be realistic.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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