Wout van Aert was forced to leave behind his plans to race Strade Bianche as he prepares for the cobbled classics later this spring. A decision that was not easy but comes as a smart choice within the Belgian community, lthough there are different opinions.
"Perhaps Wout should have also scrapped the Tirreno. Then he could spend 2 weeks longer on altitude training and work towards the desired level," former pro Jan Bakelants said in Sporza's Wielerclub Wattage podcast. "I find it strange that Wout cancels for one of his dream races. Wout is a super champion. But if you see where he makes an appearance everywhere, then he has to pay for it somewhere. His battery cannot continue to run out endlessly."
Tirreno-Adriatico is set to receive most of the riders preparing for Milano-Sanremo and many who are racing the cobbled classics too, with it's long stages, difficult terrain making for good opportunities to test the legs. An illness during his training camp in Tenerife has seen him miss out on some days of training, which he now compensates with the absence from the Italian race.
"Wouldn't it have been better if Wout had also canceled for that race? It's always normal that Wout immediately comes to participate to win. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to adjust expectations a bit," Bakelants argues. Nevertheless, van Aert returns to mainland Europe to start Tirreno-Adriatico on the 6th of March where he will prime his form ahead of the main classics.
"I think Wout has finally started to use his mind. He no longer wants to try to be good everywhere and now picks his races," Tom Boonen argued. "Wout will be 29, he won't get that many chances to compete for a win in the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix."
With Jumbo-Visma also dominating the classics so far, there is no pressure on van Aert. However, without a win at the Tour des Flandres and Paris-Roubaix yet in his palmarès, the pressure is on for a big win to fall this spring. "If Wout falls ill or falls in the spring in the coming years, then only 2 or 3 chances will be left. It's just time to win those top classics."
"I also fell ill in 2011, the day before the Tirreno. I carried that with me for a whole spring. I did win Gent-Wevelgem that year and finished 4th in the Tour of Flanders. But I was never top then," the Belgian legend exemplified.
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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.
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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)...
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- great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
- As he isn't currently with Red Bull, I guess if he want to race for one more year he needs to find a team. He's 37 so this will be his last year I would guess, unless he wants to race for almost nothing like Froome did.awp10-11-2026
- I think some are making much ado about nothing. Even though Jonas is getting older, before his crash in the Tour, he looked like a solid 2nd all the way home. No one can really climb with Tadej until this year, Eric Mas showed himself which I think was a one off year for him and Paul Seixas has been able to be pretty close to him. Whatever stage race Jonas enters as long as Tadej is not there he is a favorite to win.awp10-11-2026
- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
- Me too!!!!!Occam10-11-2026
- they can sign any 100 of top riders today but Pogi will win over Remco any time at the TDF unless something goes wrongabstractengineer10-11-2026
- the time for a GC rider to retire is when they cannot win stages, or have a significant level drop like from winner/podium into top 5/10 consistently. Roglic is still competitive and Froome raced even though he became pack fodder.abstractengineer10-11-2026
- He should be in a different team. It was detrimental. For them it does not matter if he does not develop. He should have gone to a team where they need him to succeed.abstractengineer10-11-2026
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