Wout van Aert Confirms Withdrawal from World Championship Time Trial to Focus on Road Races and Family

Wout van Aert, the Belgian cycling star from Visma | Lease a Bike, has officially announced his decision to withdraw from the individual time trial at the World Championships in Zurich.

 

The announcement comes as Van Aert prioritizes his preparation for the upcoming road races at both the European and World Championships and aims to spend quality time with his family after a demanding season.

 

In a recent interview with HLN, Van Aert explained his decision, stating that his primary focus will be on the road races, which he believes will benefit most from his participation in the Vuelta a España. “I want to use the Vuelta to prepare as well as possible for the European and World Championships road races,” Van Aert said. “The time trial requires a different kind of training and focus, which is not feasible with the tight schedule.”

Van Aert also expressed a need to balance his professional commitments with personal time. “I also want to spend time with my family and wife after a lot of stress during the last races,” he added. This decision highlights Van Aert’s commitment to maintaining a balanced approach to his career and personal life.

The Belgian rider’s withdrawal from the time trial event has led to speculation about the impact on his overall performance at the World Championships. However, Van Aert remains optimistic about his chances in the road races, where he aims to leverage his intensive preparation from the Vuelta.

The World Championships will see other competitors, such as Remco Evenepoel, step up in the time trial category. Despite the change in Van Aert’s plans, the cycling community continues to look forward to his performance in the road races, where he remains a formidable contender.

 

As the season progresses, Van Aert’s strategic focus on road racing and personal well-being underscores the demanding nature of professional cycling and the importance of balancing intense competition with personal life.