“They called me a traitor and a coward for chasing Van Aert” - Florian Vermeersch reveals online abuse after Dwars door Vlaanderen
Cycling
The passage through Dwars door Vlaanderen delivered one of the week’s most-discussed stories, with Florian Vermeersch as the unexpected protagonist beyond the sporting result. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider became one of the names of the race after his late move, when he set off in pursuit of Wout van Aert, a fully competitive decision that nevertheless sparked a negative backlash on social media that was hard to fathom.
The finish was razor-thin: Filippo Ganna prevailed right on the line after catching Van Aert in the final metres. But beyond the outcome, part of the spotlight shifted to Vermeersch, singled out by some fans for his role in the chase alongside the Italian which ultimately led to his success.
In an interview with Sporza, Vermeersch explained how he experienced the situation, especially after receiving hate messages and threats. “It hit me harder than I expected,” the Belgian admitted.
The rider said it was a completely new experience for him: “I was surprised, yes. It was the first time I received hate messages and little threats. I had never experienced anything like this. It got to me for a moment, but now I’ve been able to process it.”
Florian Vermeersch, a key rider for UAE Team Emirates - XRG
Far from pointing fingers at anyone in particular, Vermeersch sought to lower the temperature: “I don’t blame you for anything. But it’s confronting, because I didn’t think it would affect me this much.”
He also showed a measure of resignation about a reality increasingly common in sport: “I’m also aware I’m not an exception. I saw an article about the Italian defender Bastoni, who made a mistake and received death threats. It’s an everyday thing, but this was the first time I was the victim and it hit me harder than expected.”
Strictly on the sporting side, the UAE rider defended his decision-making in the finale: “I rode with everything I had to win. It was my last chance, but in one of the final corners I cramped in my hamstring. Then, unfortunately, there’s not much more you can do.”
The best of Vermeersch’s career
This rider has built a solid résumé in the classics, highlighted by his victory at the Antwerp Port Epic in 2022. His biggest result came with second place at Paris-Roubaix 2021, one of the most demanding races on the calendar. He also finished second overall at the Renewi Tour 2023 and at the Veneto Classic 2025.
In 2026 he underlined his consistency with third places at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the E3 Saxo Classic whilst being a permanent presence at the front during the big cobbled classics. Whilst he will be a supporting rider for Tadej Pogacar at the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix may present a unique opportunity for the Belgian.
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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