Wout van Aert: "I've been thinking about the Giro, but that didn't fit into the schedule"

With the World Championships right after the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia was under consideration for Wout van Aert this season. However, the Belgian will ride the Tour de France in support of Jonas Vingegaard and to chase stage wins, unlikely to chase the green jersey.

"I surpassed myself on the Hautacam last year, but I can also win mountain stages. In addition, I am approached about the Hautacam almost every day and that is also worth something to me," van Aert shared with Wielerrevue, regarding the climbing capacity he holds. He's looking to take it easier at the Tour this year without those mammoth efforts back-to-back, in order to be fresh at the Glasgow Worlds which will take place in early August.

"It will already make a huge difference knowing that another goal awaits two weeks later. The mindset in Paris will be very different." Different goals, but a similar build-up. The Tour de France sees the Belgian's return, as he rested after the classics and is currently at altitude in Teide preparing as he has for the past years - successfully. He, like Filippo Ganna, Stefan Küng, Mads Pedersen and other figures who highlighted the cobbles, considered making his Giro d'Italia debut this year, but it will have to wait.

“I've been thinking about the Giro, but that didn't fit into the schedule. Ultimately, the Tour is the best preparation," he explains. "In addition, I am in the best years of my career and so I also want to show myself in the biggest race in the world. Not that the Giro isn't a big race, but you know what I mean."