Belgian superstar Wout van Aert has an unenviable record. He has finished second on numerous occasions in very important races such as the World Championship, stages of the Tour de France, Paris-Roubaix or the Tour of Flanders means that his palmares is much less successful than it could be.
Over the years, the Jumbo-Visma rider has proven to be a versatile and competitive cyclist, able to face the most demanding challenges that elite cycling has to offer. He has been able to win on very diverse terrain, but also to hit the pole time and time again.
Here is a list of the most important cycling events in which Wout van Aert has achieved second place in his career:
- World Championship (Road) - x2
- World Championship (Individual Time Trial) - x2
- Olympic Games (Road)
- European Championship (Road)
- Tour de France (Stage) - x8
- Paris-Roubaix
- Tour of Flanders
- Tirreno-Adriatico
- E3 Saxo Classic
- Gent-Wevelgem
This impressive list of second-place finishes is a testament to the palmarès that Wout van Aert could have. If he'd had a little more luck, he could already retire as one of the best ever. While the Belgian rider undoubtedly longs for the top step of the podium, his ability to consistently stay at the top of his sport is an accomplishment in itself.
The fact that he has been able to win on terrain as different as Mont Ventoux, a flat time trial or a cobbled classic seems to make him less effective in the final meters in tight sprints with big rivals. Nor does it work in his favor to go to the Tour de France every year as a gregario. He should reconsider his Mathieu van der Poel-style calendar if he wants to add to his already magnificent palmarès.
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