"He left with the idea that injustice had been done to him" - Incredible story of Wout van Aert at the U23 Belgian Championship recounted by Jens Adams

The career of Wout van Aert has had a number of impressive results and unbelievable performances. One story in particular however, recounted on the latest episode of the Lambert & Albert podcast, is truly incredible.

To set the scene, we have to go all the way back to 2014 in Waregem and the under 23 race at the Belgian National Cyclocross Championships. Although Jens Adams was the winner that day, the headlines were taken by a young Wout van Aert for a multitude of reasons.

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"We were all standing in the front row and Toon Aerts was on the right, I was second and Wout was third," Adams recalls. "It took a long time before the lights turned green. At one point Aerts gives an impetus to leave and he rides one wheel forward, I respond to it and so does van Aert, but he leaves completely." Sadly for the future Jumbo-Visma star, this false-start caused a disqualification.

"Everyone had to return to their starting position. The jury then asked the riders whether Wout could start on the last row," Although Adams himself wasn't opposed to the idea, many riders were. "There were a few riders who were opposed to Wout not being allowed to start and Gianni Vermeersch and Tim Merlier were also somewhat opposed to this. The jury agreed, so Wout was no longer allowed to start."

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Despite the disqualification, van Aert simply would not be stopped. "The entire group was gone and fifty to sixty meters behind, he shot through those volunteers and they could no longer stop him," recalls Paul Herygers, who was commentating on that day. "Half a lap later he is already in fifth position, before he was taken off the course. You have to have courage for something like that."

"He also left with the idea that injustice had been done to him," adds Bram Lambert. "But he felt 'I am going to show that I belong here.'"

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👀 Wout van Aert has his eyes set on stage wins at the 2024 Giro d'Italia 🇮🇹

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