“We really have to count Van Aert among the absolute top favorites”: Johan Bruyneel backs Belgian for World Championship glory after Vuelta display

Wout van Aert is rapidly turning his Vuelta a España into exactly the kind of preparation he would have wanted ahead of the World Championships in Montréal. After claiming his second stage victory of the race on Sunday, the Belgian has now earned a particularly strong endorsement from former rider Johan Bruyneel, who believes his compatriot should be considered one of the leading contenders for the rainbow jersey.

Van Aert produced another powerful performance on stage 15, which had been shortened to just 110.2 kilometres because of extreme heat. The Visma | Lease a Bike rider became part of the decisive five-man group and then took control in the closing kilometres, eventually beating Alessandro Romele, Thibau Nys, Ramses Debruyne and Andreas Leknessund.

For Bruyneel, however, it was not simply the victory that stood out. Speaking on the The Move podcast, he was particularly impressed by the authority Van Aert showed throughout the finale.

With the World Championships in Montréal now less than three weeks away, Bruyneel believes the Belgian is showing exactly the kind of form that could make him a major factor in the battle for the rainbow jersey.

“The way he won this stage in particular—the way he had everything under control at every moment—was impressive,” Bruyneel said. “How he made the move to the breakaway group and, above all, how he controlled everything in the final kilometers.”

Van Aert's strength became increasingly obvious as the five riders approached Córdoba. The Belgian repeatedly took responsibility for closing gaps and dictating the pace. According to Bruyneel, that made the eventual sprint almost academic.

“He probably won't even get any stronger, but he's already so incredibly strong. You can just feel the power; he can turn a situation around at any moment when others have to make a choice,” he explained. “And in the end, the sprint wasn't even a contest.”

The former professional believes that riders such as Nys were effectively left with very few options once Van Aert decided to take control. “The only way to beat him is with a surprise attack in the final. But with the legs Wout had, there was no doubt. In the last 4 to 5 kilometers, he simply decided: 'I'm going after everything; it's up to me; I'm closing the gaps.'”

Bruyneel has also been struck by the Belgian's physical appearance during the Vuelta, arguing that the 31-year-old has found an extremely high level of form.

“What really strikes me in interviews after a victory is how he looks. He’s so sharp. He’s very lean, but in a ‘strong’ way. You can just feel the power radiating from his body on screen. Even in the way he talks: his energy is fantastic.”

For a rider with Van Aert's palmarès, Bruyneel is also fascinated by the enthusiasm he continues to show after winning races. “Something I always wonder about riders who have won so much—he’s already won world titles, Paris-Roubaix, Milan-San Remo, and Tour stages—is how they still get so much joy out of 'just' a Vuelta stage win,” Bruyneel said.

“You see that joy come through time and time again, and how incredibly enthusiastic he is when he crosses the finish line. That’s really beautiful to see.”

Most importantly, Bruyneel believes Van Aert's current level is directly relevant to the challenge awaiting him in Montréal. “He’s back at a super-high level and is using this Vuelta as the ultimate preparation for the World Championships,” he said. “We really have to count Van Aert among the absolute top favorites for the World Championships.”

Bruyneel also has no concerns about the Canadian course. “The course is absolutely no problem for him; it’s perfectly suited to Wout and his strengths, especially given the form he’s in right now.”