Wout van Aert’s Bold Early statement Move Fizzles on Brutal Stage 9 of the 2024 Vuelta a España
Wout van Aert’s Bold Early statement Move Fizzles on Brutal Stage 9 of the 2024 Vuelta a España
Stage 9 of the 2024 Vuelta a España was a formidable challenge, characterized by three daunting summits that tested even the most seasoned riders.
Despite the grueling parcours, Belgian cyclist Wout van Aert of Team Visma | Lease a Bike made an early bid for glory, seeking to capitalize on the day’s treacherous terrain.
From the outset of the stage, Van Aert surged into a breakaway, driven by the dual goals of claiming Green Jersey points and setting up a strategic advantage for his teammate, Sepp Kuss. Van Aert’s aggressive start earned him valuable points, but ultimately, his escape effort fell short of achieving a stage victory.
In his post-stage interview, Van Aert candidly acknowledged the improbability of his breakaway’s success
“I thought why not try from the beginning and I ended up in a good group. But I was not strong enough to hang on as long as I wanted, so I couldn’t do much in the finale.”
The stage win went to Adam Yates of UAE Team Emirates, who capitalized on the day’s harsh conditions to reassert himself in the Red Jersey contention. Yates’s victory was bolstered by strong team support, particularly from teammates like Marc Soler and Jack Haig.
Van Aert noted the effectiveness of Yates’s team, observing, “They did it really well as a team. Later on, I could hear through the radio his gap was still super big, so it was a great move by him. A well-deserved victory.”
Looking ahead, Van Aert expressed his eagerness for the upcoming rest day, acknowledging the physical toll of the previous stages. “The last two days were quite hard on the mountains, so I’m ready for the rest day,” he said.
Despite the setback, Van Aert’s early effort showcased his tactical acumen and commitment to supporting his team leader. As the Vuelta progresses, his strategic maneuvers could prove pivotal in the overall contest.
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