"We have to be realistic about Wout" - Visma DS insists patience is key for van Aert to grow in form

Wout van Aert was ill after Amstel Gold Race and didn't come in with the best form. That has become very clear over stages 2 and 3 of the Giro d'Italia, but he continues to arrive to the finish line with a lot of attention on him regardless of the result. Team Visma | Lease a Bike DS Marc Reef has said that the Belgian needs time to grow form during the race and that expectations have to be realistic.

“We have to be realistic about Wout. Especially because his run-up to the Giro was not perfect," Reed said in words to Cyclingnews. “But we also know that this race is three weeks long. There will be many more opportunities, as long as he is given the time to grow in the race and does not have to go to the limit every day".

It's not the first time that it's the case, and last year's Tour de France was a good example where the Belgian improved during the three weeks. "On day one he had to fight and he felt that something was possible, so he went for it. We saw the consequences of that on day two. Hopefully, with the rest day, he can get a more upward trend and we will see a lot more of him.”

In the meantime, week two shouldn't present many opportunities for the Belgian in his current form. He may improve enough to become a card for stage 9's gravel sectors but the team may prioritize Simon Yates' GC aspirations if not... Stage 5 is a good one for him but his climbing legs are not where they need to be, and in the bunch sprints van Aert will switch focus and support Olav Kooij as a leadout man.

"I think the past has already shown that the combination of Olav and Wout works quite well, if you look at the Tour of Britain or the Clásica Almeria last year," the team leader argues. "It is especially important that we put Kooij in position for the sprints together with Wout. If we succeed, it will make a big difference"