Classics legend of the 60's Rik van Looy still keeps a close eye in the sport where he has thrived, and he believes that Wout van Aert is in the wrong team to succeed in this terrain.
“About the unfortunate fact that Wout van Aert is with the wrong team, for example. And that he should change teams. I had already mentioned that five years ago in an interview with 'Gazet van Antwerpen'. But then they laughed at that," Rik van Looy told Het Laatste Nieuws. "But Tom [Boonen] also started talking about it. 'For example, if he had ridden for Soudal Quick-Step, he would have won at least five major classics.' I believe that too. Isn't Jumbo-Visma a stage-race-oriented team? He will now ride the Giro in 2024. But that is still a long way off. I would not do that. The Giro is much more difficult than the Tour, always has been. Just take a look at the stage schedule.
Whilst van Aert may not aim for the GC and instead stage wins, his change of schedule and direction away from the Tour has led to a lot of debate. Van Looy is of the opinion that there is no great logic to it, but argues that in previous years van Aert has not achieved the desired big wins in the classics due to the team he has signed for. Regarding Remco Evenepoel he also casts his doubts on the potential of succeeding at the Tour de France.
“I am absolutely not anti-Remco and sincerely hope that he will one day succeed, but I have doubts. Okay, he won the Vuelta a España last year. But his main competitor, Primoz Roglic, dropped out prematurely. He paid a price in this year's Vuelta. I'm a bit afraid that the French climbs will be too hard for him," he argues. "Again: that has nothing to do with his qualities, because they are undeniably present. But I've experienced it myself. I could also climb quite well, at one point even finishing in the top four in mountain stages in big tours three days in a row. Felt fine, followed smoothly. 'Oh, that will be fine' I thought. Until those real, pure climbers opened the throttle. And I immediately understood what time it was.”
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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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- I'm deeply sick of this guy and his unwillingness to race seriously for more than a month or two. I'll never respect riders who do that. Seixas will be stronger than him next season, and maybe Del Toro as well. I don't even think he'll finish on the podium at any GT where Pogi, Seixas, and Del Toro are racing.megasmacky15-11-2026
- Not a chance in hell.megasmacky15-11-2026
- If you go watch some races from last season other riders that have never caught Jonas...are now catching him. Some are just riding away from him and he can't hold the wheelmd197514-11-2026
- He just doesn't have the desire anymore. I read an article earlier today that said he almost retired last year. His reasoning was he is away from home to much. Visma was able to keep him riding by allowing him to skip certain camps. So, while currently Visma is doing altitude work...Jonas is at home. Which means 2 things. 1- He maybe fresher than other riders. But, not the condition. 2-Is a somewhat slap in the face to others on the team that are supposed to help him win. Yet feel like he hasn't done what they have so perhaps they don't provide as good of protection or they ride more for theme (which the team may not notice).md197514-11-2026
- Roglic could not have won anyway, after Jonas followed him when Roglic decided it was his turn for a stage win. Jonas had already attacked Kuss twice, so it was Jonas who was within seconds of taking the lead before Kuss was 'gifted' the win. It felt a bit like Roglic was being thrown under the bus when the team made his unhappiness public.Hills3314-11-2026
- POG1, another nice doc about our favourite, I watched most of it with a big smile on my face (except for the bits about his crashes 😢 obvs!).Lozza14-11-2026
- Martinez had a good year! 5th at the Tour was a great result for him, albeit largely through getting in successful breaks, but he held it better than Pidcock who’d done the same.Lozza14-11-2026
- guess what Valgren, you're 34, and no you're not good enough. sorry to say.mij14-11-2026
- I'm a sepp fan and like to think he earned that LOL, indulge me : ) I think Jonas was fine. Roglic did not want to concede to Sepp. and I don't think you ever attack your own teammate in the leaders jersey if he is holding his own, which Sepp just about was.mij14-11-2026
- enough time? he's 24 years old. He's won 10 races over the last 2 years and some are significant. I won't argue about his attitude being good - it needs to improve. But with some coaching and mentorship he has a lot of winning ahead of him and has plenty of time to win a GT. I don't think he will ever beat Tadej, but everyone else is fair game Look at Mas and Valverde - they were 31 and 29, respectively, when they won the Vuelta.mij14-11-2026
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Another edition of the now famous Calpe Cup ⚽️ came to a conclusion Sunday evening 🙌 Can you guess who won?
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