"I got goosebumps on the last lap" - Wout van Aert loses out to close friend with cramp in finale but admits he isn't disappointed
CyclingSunday, 16 August 2026 at 18:24
Wout van Aert finished second at the Belgian Gravel Championships, beaten by his close friend Daan Soete, but the result left no bitter taste for the Belgian. Van Aert admitted he would have liked to win the title, yet he put above all the meaning of sharing the race with a teammate he has grown up and trained with for years.
“I don’t feel any disappointment,” Van Aert said after the race in comments reported by Wielerflits. The Visma | Lease a Bike rider acknowledged that Soete was a deserved winner and explained that the effort he made during the race nearly took its toll.
“He’s a worthy winner. We’re very good friends, so… I spent a lot of energy during the race and was close to cramping.”
Second place did not stop Van Aert from enjoying a very special day. “I would have liked to win myself, but I’m not at all disappointed,” he noted. The sight of the pair contesting the decisive phase together carried special meaning for the Belgian.
“The fact we were racing the finale together… I got goosebumps on the last lap. We ride these roads almost daily; after all, we grew up together. It’s surreal that it worked out like this, because we hoped to take control of the race together,” Van Aert explained.
The Belgian also underlined the toughness of the event and the level of the field. “It wasn’t easy, because there were many strong riders among them. What a special day!” he summed up.
Wout van Aert has regularly raced on gravel
Van Aert expected the electric atmosphere
The day was also fuelled by a large crowd of fans. Far from surprising him, Van Aert had anticipated it: “I already expected it.”
The Belgian acknowledged that the public had been very present in recent weeks, when attention had focused especially on the championship: “In recent weeks, everything has revolved around this Belgian Championship. The fans didn’t disappoint me, and that’s great.”
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Now Van Aert switches focus. From next Saturday he will face a new challenge at the Vuelta a España, where he will again take on a key role within the team.
Second place at the Netherlands Gravel Championship thus stands as the final chapter before returning to one of the season’s Grand Tours.
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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- WVA has such a great attitude, what an awesome guy for the sport.mij16-08-2026
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