Thomas Dekker believes Wout van Aert’s monument dream is dying: “Soon he will be happy to be second or third”
Cycling
Wout van Aert endured a hugely underwhelming performance at
the E3 Saxo Classic on Friday, failing to feature at any point in the decisive
moves. The race was completely dominated by Mathieu van der Poel, who rode away
from the field to take a commanding solo victory.
Van Aert, who had only just returned from an altitude
training camp, appeared off the pace throughout. His subdued display raised
eyebrows, particularly given how crucial this part of the Spring Classics
calendar is for the Belgian star.
Speaking on the Live Slow, Ride Fast podcast, former
pro Thomas Dekker expressed sympathy for Van Aert and lamented the absence of a
head-to-head battle between the long-time rivals.
"I'm a cycling fan and you want to see a fight,"
Dekker said. "Milan-Sanremo was beautiful because Pogacar couldn't get Van
der Poel off him, we've seen that duel so often in cyclo-cross. You want Van
der Poel versus Van Aert. I feel that more than with Van der Poel versus
Pedersen, because that has never really been a duel."
Having seen Van Aert return from training in the mountains,
Dekker had hoped for a strong showing to kickstart the next phase of his
Classics campaign. But with Van der Poel and Pogacar continuing to set a level
above the rest, he now fears the coming weeks may follow a similar pattern.
"You hope that he comes down from the mountain and
starts with a kick-start for the coming weeks. I hope not, but there is a big
chance that it will not work out next week. Van der Poel and Pogacar are better
than everyone, Van Aert has to make a big step."
Dekker also suggested that Van Aert’s attempts to influence
races in recent weeks have fallen flat, not through a lack of effort, but
through an apparent dip in power and sharpness.
"I see Van Aert lately occasionally trying to get away
or close a gap, but he doesn't get there. He can't deliver the power to get
away or put something right. The chance that that will be different next week
is very small. Let alone that you are better than Van der Poel."
There is growing concern that Van Aert’s long-standing goal
of winning a cobbled Monument could be slipping further from reach. Dekker
warns that if expectations shift from winning to simply finishing on the
podium, it could represent a turning point in the Visma rider's career.
"Everything is focused on winning a Monument, but soon
he will be happy to be second or third. If that becomes the logic, there will
simply be a change in his career."
While still backing Team Visma | Lease a Bike to remain
competitive, Dekker admitted that expecting Van Aert to beat Van der Poel in
his current form might not be realistic.
"But I'm still looking at Visma winning that race, and
I think they'll be at the start like that too. Is that realistic? It doesn't
seem like it. I think he'll be very happy if he finishes second or third. I
hope that gives hope for an extra step in the future, because Van der Poel will
also be less good at some point."
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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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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