{"id":1861040,"date":"2026-04-01T17:05:41","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T14:05:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1861040"},"modified":"2026-04-01T17:05:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T14:05:41","slug":"two-races-two-big-attacks-no-win-what-do-wout-van-aerts-double-close-defeats-mean-for-the-tour-of-flanders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1861040","title":{"rendered":"Two races, two big attacks, no win \u2013 What do Wout van Aert&#8217;s double close defeats mean for the Tour of Flanders?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/j3eb8Rozw7gVHmDzZi8JTD-2500-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nVisma-Lease a Bike\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWout van Aert\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Two races, two big attacks, no win \u2013 What do Wout van Aert&#8217;s double close defeats mean for the Tour of Flanders?<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nNews<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-01T17:05:41Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n1 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">&#8216;In the end it&#8217;s about winning, and it&#8217;s a big pity that we lost out today&#8217; says Visma DS Niermann, but has no worries ahead of Flanders<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/j3eb8Rozw7gVHmDzZi8JTD-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/j3eb8Rozw7gVHmDzZi8JTD-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/j3eb8Rozw7gVHmDzZi8JTD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/j3eb8Rozw7gVHmDzZi8JTD-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/j3eb8Rozw7gVHmDzZi8JTD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/j3eb8Rozw7gVHmDzZi8JTD-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/j3eb8Rozw7gVHmDzZi8JTD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Wout van Aert takes the lead on the road to Waregem Wednesday<\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 sm:ml-1.5 font-base text-xs\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div role=\"dialog\" class=\"hidden fixed inset-0 z-[999999999999999999] bg-[#33333370] flex items-center justify-center p-6 newsletter-modal\" data-batch-endpoint=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit_batch\" data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-68681787-8eca-4239-828a-5ae458655dc4\">There was a sense of foreboding and a degree of d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu as Wout van Aert went solo into the finale of Dwars door Vlaanderen. In theory, a rider of his stature should be pegged to win from that situation, especially given the lack of any huge rivals behind. But for many watching, the optimism wasn&#8217;t quite there.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s because Van Aert has been burned before in these situations, as recently as a couple of days ago. At In Flanders Fields, Van Aert was away with Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) in what looked like a race-winning move, but a defensive ride from Van der Poel saw them brought back.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-68681787-8eca-4239-828a-5ae458655dc4-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">And of course who could forget this day last year, when Van Aert somehow lost a Visma three-against-one battle in the finale, the Dutch team somehow messing it up so badly that Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost), severely outnumbered, beat them all in Waregem.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SKkMGBtSCAA23AaBz9KDyX-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SKkMGBtSCAA23AaBz9KDyX-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;We&#8217;ll certainly not make that same mistake again&#8217; \u2013 Can Wout van Aert and Visma take revenge at Dwars door Vlaanderen a year on from three-against-one tactical blunder?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jERYENCJy3sLQDAJNhVTPM-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jERYENCJy3sLQDAJNhVTPM-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I want to put up a fight&#8217;  &#8211; Wout van Aert in upbeat mood for In Flanders Fields<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MKWBaDLoZMm6zxaaaxGDTA-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MKWBaDLoZMm6zxaaaxGDTA-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Soft pulls, subtle digs: The Tour of Flanders mind games have already begun \u2013 Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">He also had a really terrible day here in 2024, crashing horrendously at the foot of the Kanarieberg and ruined the rest of his spring. So everyone was taking Wednesday&#8217;s ride with a bit of a pinch of salt, even as he entered the final 3km alone, and in the end, the foreboding was warranted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">In an unfortunate replica of last year, Van Aert&#8217;s head dropped as he crossed the line, just caught by winner Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) at the very last moment. Another day, another big effort, another loss.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Van Aert was expectedly disappointed at the finish, saying he had &#8220;tried everything I had&#8221;, but practically before he even had a chance to step onto the podium, talk had turned to what this means for the week&#8217;s biggest goal, the Tour of Flanders.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Two big attacks, to go with Van der Poel on Sunday and on his own on Wednesday, are surely good signs about his form, but there is also the obvious issue that he&#8217;s not been able to win yet this season.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-P2k5NKWaboX6UAztV7s5JE\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-P2k5NKWaboX6UAztV7s5JE slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Are those rides still positive despite the end result? Yes and no, Visma Directeur Sportiff Grischa Niermann told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> at the finish of Dwars door Vlaanderen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;The result is more important because we want to win races,&#8221; he said. &#8220;But I think in the end we have to be very satisfied with the shape that Wout is in and that Per [Strand Hagenes] and Christophe [Laporte] are in. That&#8217;s it for the moment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;We always want to win bike races and of course we are also looking at the process, we need to be in good shape. But in the end it&#8217;s about winning, and it&#8217;s a big pity that we lost out today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SkNFyskkTPC8G6jb7nWK9V-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SkNFyskkTPC8G6jb7nWK9V-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;It was clear that Mathieu was not pulling full gas&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert foiled by &#8216;defensive&#8217; ride from Van der Poel in promising In Flanders Fields attack<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/43r7CCJvkR4CRMPwgc3o9C-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/43r7CCJvkR4CRMPwgc3o9C-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;It&#8217;d have been nicer if the finish was 150 metres earlier&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert rues heartbreaking near miss in Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Why Poga\u010dar and Van Aert&#8217;s teams aren&#8217;t sensing weakness for the Tour of Flanders despite Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s near-miss at E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">As to the reasons why Van Aert missed the win on Wednesday, Niermann didn&#8217;t point to any one big issue, with the Belgian himself just running out of gas a few hundred metres too early.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;It&#8217;s always the little things that maybe you could have done differently, but I think everybody fought, we had a good team,&#8221; Nierman said. &#8220;Especially Per and Christophe were really strong, they tried to block it also in the back. In the end it&#8217;s a pity that Wout gets caught on the line, that&#8217;s cycling.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">In fact, Niermann said that Van Aert did &#8220;exactly what he wanted to do&#8221; and that there wasn&#8217;t an obvious better way to play it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;Wout did exactly what he wanted to do, he wanted to go on Eikenberg and he went across to the attackers and that was perfect,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;With hindsight, it would have been better if he was with someone else because then for sure they would have made it to the finish, but in the end Wout also had to drop [Niklas] Larsen and [Romain] Gr\u00e9goire because they were not strong enough maybe. Then also in the end if you&#8217;re with two, there are always some games that are beginning to be played, so I think going solo was the best option.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-dc282d34-ef2f-4ba4-8cca-e7c5e7fb8f4a\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bH6zi3iJyrJR2gEqvCwm96-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bH6zi3iJyrJR2gEqvCwm96-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bH6zi3iJyrJR2gEqvCwm96-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bH6zi3iJyrJR2gEqvCwm96-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bH6zi3iJyrJR2gEqvCwm96-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bH6zi3iJyrJR2gEqvCwm96-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Wout van Aert of Visma-Lease a Bike on second place (left) stands on the podium next to winner Filippo Ganna of Ineos Grenadiers and third-placed S\u00f8ren W\u00e6renskjold\u00a0of Uno-X Mobility <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-8bf05113-1f30-4ec6-ac22-34e886043926\">Of course, all of these races are, to an extent, precursors to the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, which Van Aert has long held as his goals of the season. Winning mid-week would be good, but winning one of those Monuments would be better.<\/p>\n<p>Though he will go into Sunday now with two disappointing defeats \u2013 and one very buoying ride at Milan-San Remo \u2013 in his pocket, Niermann was clear that these losses don&#8217;t present a problem or headache for Flanders, which will be on another level.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t think so,&#8221; he said when asked if the team needed to change or fix anything ahead of Flanders. &#8220;Sunday will be a totally different race. If it was already hard today, it will be much harder. The two big favourites will be there, everybody will look to them, and for Wout it&#8217;s good to know that he is in a good place and he&#8217;s in good shape.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Niermann spoke about two big favourites, Van der Poel and Tadej Poga\u010dar, but there will be another big name in the mix: Remco Evenepoel. Rather than another threat, Visma are seeing the Belgian&#8217;s participation as another useful ally in the battle to topple Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;For us it&#8217;s good if more strong riders are there, because in the end everybody knows that Tadej will be the strongest, everybody knows where he can drop everyone, then you have to try to follow and if you can&#8217;t follow then you&#8217;re happy when you have some other strong riders with you, so I absolutely see it as an advantage.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, no matter how Van Aert performed this week \u2013 even if he had won both Sunday and Wednesday&#8217;s races \u2013 he would still go into Flanders as at most the third-best rider, such is Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Monument dominance. It&#8217;s hard to imagine anything he could have done to change that.<\/p>\n<p>Being beaten twice is plainly not good, but Niermann&#8217;s words are more than just team PR speak, there&#8217;s a truth to it. Van Aert has been strong, so have his teammates, and he&#8217;ll go into Flanders uninjured and fully aware of what is needed from him.<\/p>\n<p>Whether that is enough to fight for the win on Sunday remains to be seen, but the Belgian has at the very least shown that he refuses to be counted out.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a0d2104e-c51f-4f35-9439-47ea55774a28\"><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled 2026 Spring Classics coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders.<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>Find out more<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-P2k5NKWaboX6UAztV7s5JE\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-P2k5NKWaboX6UAztV7s5JE slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Matilda Price<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Assistant Features Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Matilda is an NCTJ-qualified journalist based in the UK who joined <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>in March 2025. Prior to that, she worked as the Racing News Editor at <em>GCN<\/em>, and extensively as a freelancer contributing to <em>Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Velo, Rouleur, Escape Collective, Red Bull <\/em>and more. She has reported on the ground at all of the biggest events on the calendar, including the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Tours de France, the Giro d&#8217;Italia, the Vuelta a Espana, the Spring Classics and the World Championships. She has particular experience and expertise in women&#8217;s cycling, and women&#8217;s sport in general. She is a graduate of modern languages and sports journalism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SKkMGBtSCAA23AaBz9KDyX-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SKkMGBtSCAA23AaBz9KDyX-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SKkMGBtSCAA23AaBz9KDyX-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SKkMGBtSCAA23AaBz9KDyX-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SKkMGBtSCAA23AaBz9KDyX-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We&#8217;ll certainly not make that same mistake again&#8217; \u2013 Can Wout van Aert and Visma take revenge at Dwars door Vlaanderen a year on from three-against-one tactical blunder?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jERYENCJy3sLQDAJNhVTPM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jERYENCJy3sLQDAJNhVTPM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jERYENCJy3sLQDAJNhVTPM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jERYENCJy3sLQDAJNhVTPM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jERYENCJy3sLQDAJNhVTPM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I want to put up a fight&#8217;  &#8211; Wout van Aert in upbeat mood for In Flanders Fields<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MKWBaDLoZMm6zxaaaxGDTA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MKWBaDLoZMm6zxaaaxGDTA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MKWBaDLoZMm6zxaaaxGDTA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MKWBaDLoZMm6zxaaaxGDTA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MKWBaDLoZMm6zxaaaxGDTA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Soft pulls, subtle digs: The Tour of Flanders mind games have already begun \u2013 Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SkNFyskkTPC8G6jb7nWK9V-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SkNFyskkTPC8G6jb7nWK9V-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SkNFyskkTPC8G6jb7nWK9V-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SkNFyskkTPC8G6jb7nWK9V-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SkNFyskkTPC8G6jb7nWK9V-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It was clear that Mathieu was not pulling full gas&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert foiled by &#8216;defensive&#8217; ride from Van der Poel in promising In Flanders Fields attack<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/43r7CCJvkR4CRMPwgc3o9C-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/43r7CCJvkR4CRMPwgc3o9C-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/43r7CCJvkR4CRMPwgc3o9C-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/43r7CCJvkR4CRMPwgc3o9C-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/43r7CCJvkR4CRMPwgc3o9C-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;d have been nicer if the finish was 150 metres earlier&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert rues heartbreaking near miss in Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Why Poga\u010dar and Van Aert&#8217;s teams aren&#8217;t sensing weakness for the Tour of Flanders despite Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s near-miss at E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xWfeX2yNpSsweaciMeFruR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xWfeX2yNpSsweaciMeFruR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xWfeX2yNpSsweaciMeFruR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xWfeX2yNpSsweaciMeFruR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xWfeX2yNpSsweaciMeFruR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sticky situation for Filippo Ganna resolved with 200 CHF fine after taking victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RZPKZeofqLnbQCo582hApD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RZPKZeofqLnbQCo582hApD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RZPKZeofqLnbQCo582hApD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RZPKZeofqLnbQCo582hApD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RZPKZeofqLnbQCo582hApD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He needs to call my girlfriend, because she&#8217;s preparing a fantastic dinner for Easter&#8217; \u2013 Despite dramatic Dwars fightback, Filippo Ganna says Paris-Roubaix remains his next race, not the Tour of Flanders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHLxGrWU2fCg4Mw43wZRES-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHLxGrWU2fCg4Mw43wZRES-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHLxGrWU2fCg4Mw43wZRES-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHLxGrWU2fCg4Mw43wZRES-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHLxGrWU2fCg4Mw43wZRES-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Why Remco Evenepoel is right to make his Tour of Flanders debut now, and how he could challenge Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdyjvfBtQGcrdvvymtNZJd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdyjvfBtQGcrdvvymtNZJd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdyjvfBtQGcrdvvymtNZJd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdyjvfBtQGcrdvvymtNZJd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdyjvfBtQGcrdvvymtNZJd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Remco Evenepoel will ride the Tour of Flanders in shock debut<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GMa4ASYgRv25ymMnYxb5Wo-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GMa4ASYgRv25ymMnYxb5Wo-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GMa4ASYgRv25ymMnYxb5Wo-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GMa4ASYgRv25ymMnYxb5Wo-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GMa4ASYgRv25ymMnYxb5Wo-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;They told us they were going to kill us&#8217; &#8211; Aggressive driver arrested for endangering US criterium champion after video of road rage incident went viral<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3J95fBiX8AU8aJKCfy8gT-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3J95fBiX8AU8aJKCfy8gT-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3J95fBiX8AU8aJKCfy8gT-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3J95fBiX8AU8aJKCfy8gT-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3J95fBiX8AU8aJKCfy8gT-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Emerging Talents<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Instagram DMs, quiet Belgian side streets, and phone calls with parents \u2013 Inside the race to snap up cycling&#8217;s next top talents<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Safety<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I was wrapped into a thorn field and they couldn&#8217;t find me&#8217; \u2013 Marlen Reusser recounts her experience of being lost for an hour after a crash, as she advocates for GPS trackers<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ik3zkfcMqVF82P3Tgv3UoJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ik3zkfcMqVF82P3Tgv3UoJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ik3zkfcMqVF82P3Tgv3UoJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ik3zkfcMqVF82P3Tgv3UoJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ik3zkfcMqVF82P3Tgv3UoJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I just don&#8217;t feel the best&#8217; \u2013 Lingering illness continues to disrupt Elisa Longo Borghini with time running out to recover fully for Tour of Flanders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xWfeX2yNpSsweaciMeFruR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xWfeX2yNpSsweaciMeFruR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xWfeX2yNpSsweaciMeFruR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xWfeX2yNpSsweaciMeFruR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xWfeX2yNpSsweaciMeFruR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sticky situation for Filippo Ganna resolved with 200 CHF fine after taking victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rvJ5YSwVaD8FcdVZnz3TcD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rvJ5YSwVaD8FcdVZnz3TcD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rvJ5YSwVaD8FcdVZnz3TcD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rvJ5YSwVaD8FcdVZnz3TcD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rvJ5YSwVaD8FcdVZnz3TcD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Mads Pedersen definitely on the up but his sprint is  &#8216;the part missing from the injury&#8217; ahead of Tour of Flanders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DUyVFyZQHFfw4JrZh8xkQL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DUyVFyZQHFfw4JrZh8xkQL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DUyVFyZQHFfw4JrZh8xkQL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DUyVFyZQHFfw4JrZh8xkQL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DUyVFyZQHFfw4JrZh8xkQL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;For me it was perfect&#8217; \u2013 Marlen Reusser profits from Demi Vollering breakaway and post-injury strength to grab Dwars door Vlaanderen victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zce5G3DYsHjGfsRMTdjQpF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zce5G3DYsHjGfsRMTdjQpF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zce5G3DYsHjGfsRMTdjQpF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zce5G3DYsHjGfsRMTdjQpF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zce5G3DYsHjGfsRMTdjQpF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I told him for so many years to do it, and he didn&#8217;t&#8217; \u2013 Patrick Lefevere reacts to Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s Tour of Flanders debut, having failed to convince him at Soudal-QuickStep<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;I was wrapped into a thorn field and they couldn&#8217;t find me&#8217; \u2013 Marlen Reusser recounts her experience of being lost for an hour after a crash, as she advocates for GPS trackers<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Action camera jargon buster: What do all the specs and complex terminology mean?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Sticky situation for Filippo Ganna resolved with 200 CHF fine after taking victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;I just don&#8217;t feel the best&#8217; \u2013 Lingering illness continues to disrupt Elisa Longo Borghini with time running out to recover fully for Tour of Flanders<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Mads Pedersen definitely on the up but his sprint is  &#8216;the part missing from the injury&#8217; ahead of Tour of Flanders<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nVisma-Lease a Bike\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWout van Aert\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Two races, two big attacks, no win \u2013 What do Wout van Aert&#8217;s double close defeats mean for the Tour of Flanders?<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nNews<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-01T17:05:41Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n1 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">&#8216;In the end it&#8217;s about winning, and it&#8217;s a big pity that we lost out today&#8217; says Visma DS Niermann, but has no worries ahead of Flanders<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/j3eb8Rozw7gVHmDzZi8JTD-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/j3eb8Rozw7gVHmDzZi8JTD-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/j3eb8Rozw7gVHmDzZi8JTD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/j3eb8Rozw7gVHmDzZi8JTD-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/j3eb8Rozw7gVHmDzZi8JTD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/j3eb8Rozw7gVHmDzZi8JTD-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/j3eb8Rozw7gVHmDzZi8JTD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Wout van Aert takes the lead on the road to Waregem Wednesday<\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 sm:ml-1.5 font-base text-xs\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div role=\"dialog\" class=\"hidden fixed inset-0 z-[999999999999999999] bg-[#33333370] flex items-center justify-center p-6 newsletter-modal\" data-batch-endpoint=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit_batch\" data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-68681787-8eca-4239-828a-5ae458655dc4\">There was a sense of foreboding and a degree of d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu as Wout van Aert went solo into the finale of Dwars door Vlaanderen. In theory, a rider of his stature should be pegged to win from that situation, especially given the lack of any huge rivals behind. But for many watching, the optimism wasn&#8217;t quite there.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s because Van Aert has been burned before in these situations, as recently as a couple of days ago. At In Flanders Fields, Van Aert was away with Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) in what looked like a race-winning move, but a defensive ride from Van der Poel saw them brought back.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-68681787-8eca-4239-828a-5ae458655dc4-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">And of course who could forget this day last year, when Van Aert somehow lost a Visma three-against-one battle in the finale, the Dutch team somehow messing it up so badly that Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost), severely outnumbered, beat them all in Waregem.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SKkMGBtSCAA23AaBz9KDyX-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SKkMGBtSCAA23AaBz9KDyX-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;We&#8217;ll certainly not make that same mistake again&#8217; \u2013 Can Wout van Aert and Visma take revenge at Dwars door Vlaanderen a year on from three-against-one tactical blunder?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jERYENCJy3sLQDAJNhVTPM-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jERYENCJy3sLQDAJNhVTPM-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I want to put up a fight&#8217;  &#8211; Wout van Aert in upbeat mood for In Flanders Fields<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MKWBaDLoZMm6zxaaaxGDTA-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MKWBaDLoZMm6zxaaaxGDTA-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Soft pulls, subtle digs: The Tour of Flanders mind games have already begun \u2013 Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">He also had a really terrible day here in 2024, crashing horrendously at the foot of the Kanarieberg and ruined the rest of his spring. So everyone was taking Wednesday&#8217;s ride with a bit of a pinch of salt, even as he entered the final 3km alone, and in the end, the foreboding was warranted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">In an unfortunate replica of last year, Van Aert&#8217;s head dropped as he crossed the line, just caught by winner Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) at the very last moment. Another day, another big effort, another loss.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Van Aert was expectedly disappointed at the finish, saying he had &#8220;tried everything I had&#8221;, but practically before he even had a chance to step onto the podium, talk had turned to what this means for the week&#8217;s biggest goal, the Tour of Flanders.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Two big attacks, to go with Van der Poel on Sunday and on his own on Wednesday, are surely good signs about his form, but there is also the obvious issue that he&#8217;s not been able to win yet this season.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-P2k5NKWaboX6UAztV7s5JE\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-P2k5NKWaboX6UAztV7s5JE slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Are those rides still positive despite the end result? Yes and no, Visma Directeur Sportiff Grischa Niermann told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> at the finish of Dwars door Vlaanderen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;The result is more important because we want to win races,&#8221; he said. &#8220;But I think in the end we have to be very satisfied with the shape that Wout is in and that Per [Strand Hagenes] and Christophe [Laporte] are in. That&#8217;s it for the moment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;We always want to win bike races and of course we are also looking at the process, we need to be in good shape. But in the end it&#8217;s about winning, and it&#8217;s a big pity that we lost out today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SkNFyskkTPC8G6jb7nWK9V-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SkNFyskkTPC8G6jb7nWK9V-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;It was clear that Mathieu was not pulling full gas&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert foiled by &#8216;defensive&#8217; ride from Van der Poel in promising In Flanders Fields attack<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/43r7CCJvkR4CRMPwgc3o9C-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/43r7CCJvkR4CRMPwgc3o9C-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;It&#8217;d have been nicer if the finish was 150 metres earlier&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert rues heartbreaking near miss in Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Why Poga\u010dar and Van Aert&#8217;s teams aren&#8217;t sensing weakness for the Tour of Flanders despite Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s near-miss at E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">As to the reasons why Van Aert missed the win on Wednesday, Niermann didn&#8217;t point to any one big issue, with the Belgian himself just running out of gas a few hundred metres too early.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;It&#8217;s always the little things that maybe you could have done differently, but I think everybody fought, we had a good team,&#8221; Nierman said. &#8220;Especially Per and Christophe were really strong, they tried to block it also in the back. In the end it&#8217;s a pity that Wout gets caught on the line, that&#8217;s cycling.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">In fact, Niermann said that Van Aert did &#8220;exactly what he wanted to do&#8221; and that there wasn&#8217;t an obvious better way to play it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;Wout did exactly what he wanted to do, he wanted to go on Eikenberg and he went across to the attackers and that was perfect,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;With hindsight, it would have been better if he was with someone else because then for sure they would have made it to the finish, but in the end Wout also had to drop [Niklas] Larsen and [Romain] Gr\u00e9goire because they were not strong enough maybe. Then also in the end if you&#8217;re with two, there are always some games that are beginning to be played, so I think going solo was the best option.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-dc282d34-ef2f-4ba4-8cca-e7c5e7fb8f4a\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bH6zi3iJyrJR2gEqvCwm96-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bH6zi3iJyrJR2gEqvCwm96-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bH6zi3iJyrJR2gEqvCwm96-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bH6zi3iJyrJR2gEqvCwm96-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bH6zi3iJyrJR2gEqvCwm96-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bH6zi3iJyrJR2gEqvCwm96-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Wout van Aert of Visma-Lease a Bike on second place (left) stands on the podium next to winner Filippo Ganna of Ineos Grenadiers and third-placed S\u00f8ren W\u00e6renskjold\u00a0of Uno-X Mobility <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-8bf05113-1f30-4ec6-ac22-34e886043926\">Of course, all of these races are, to an extent, precursors to the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, which Van Aert has long held as his goals of the season. Winning mid-week would be good, but winning one of those Monuments would be better.<\/p>\n<p>Though he will go into Sunday now with two disappointing defeats \u2013 and one very buoying ride at Milan-San Remo \u2013 in his pocket, Niermann was clear that these losses don&#8217;t present a problem or headache for Flanders, which will be on another level.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t think so,&#8221; he said when asked if the team needed to change or fix anything ahead of Flanders. &#8220;Sunday will be a totally different race. If it was already hard today, it will be much harder. The two big favourites will be there, everybody will look to them, and for Wout it&#8217;s good to know that he is in a good place and he&#8217;s in good shape.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Niermann spoke about two big favourites, Van der Poel and Tadej Poga\u010dar, but there will be another big name in the mix: Remco Evenepoel. Rather than another threat, Visma are seeing the Belgian&#8217;s participation as another useful ally in the battle to topple Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;For us it&#8217;s good if more strong riders are there, because in the end everybody knows that Tadej will be the strongest, everybody knows where he can drop everyone, then you have to try to follow and if you can&#8217;t follow then you&#8217;re happy when you have some other strong riders with you, so I absolutely see it as an advantage.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, no matter how Van Aert performed this week \u2013 even if he had won both Sunday and Wednesday&#8217;s races \u2013 he would still go into Flanders as at most the third-best rider, such is Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Monument dominance. It&#8217;s hard to imagine anything he could have done to change that.<\/p>\n<p>Being beaten twice is plainly not good, but Niermann&#8217;s words are more than just team PR speak, there&#8217;s a truth to it. Van Aert has been strong, so have his teammates, and he&#8217;ll go into Flanders uninjured and fully aware of what is needed from him.<\/p>\n<p>Whether that is enough to fight for the win on Sunday remains to be seen, but the Belgian has at the very least shown that he refuses to be counted out.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a0d2104e-c51f-4f35-9439-47ea55774a28\"><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled 2026 Spring Classics coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders.<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>Find out more<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-P2k5NKWaboX6UAztV7s5JE\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-P2k5NKWaboX6UAztV7s5JE slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Matilda Price<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Assistant Features Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Matilda is an NCTJ-qualified journalist based in the UK who joined <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>in March 2025. Prior to that, she worked as the Racing News Editor at <em>GCN<\/em>, and extensively as a freelancer contributing to <em>Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Velo, Rouleur, Escape Collective, Red Bull <\/em>and more. She has reported on the ground at all of the biggest events on the calendar, including the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Tours de France, the Giro d&#8217;Italia, the Vuelta a Espana, the Spring Classics and the World Championships. She has particular experience and expertise in women&#8217;s cycling, and women&#8217;s sport in general. She is a graduate of modern languages and sports journalism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SKkMGBtSCAA23AaBz9KDyX-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SKkMGBtSCAA23AaBz9KDyX-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SKkMGBtSCAA23AaBz9KDyX-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SKkMGBtSCAA23AaBz9KDyX-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SKkMGBtSCAA23AaBz9KDyX-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We&#8217;ll certainly not make that same mistake again&#8217; \u2013 Can Wout van Aert and Visma take revenge at Dwars door Vlaanderen a year on from three-against-one tactical blunder?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jERYENCJy3sLQDAJNhVTPM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jERYENCJy3sLQDAJNhVTPM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jERYENCJy3sLQDAJNhVTPM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jERYENCJy3sLQDAJNhVTPM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jERYENCJy3sLQDAJNhVTPM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I want to put up a fight&#8217;  &#8211; Wout van Aert in upbeat mood for In Flanders Fields<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MKWBaDLoZMm6zxaaaxGDTA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MKWBaDLoZMm6zxaaaxGDTA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MKWBaDLoZMm6zxaaaxGDTA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MKWBaDLoZMm6zxaaaxGDTA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MKWBaDLoZMm6zxaaaxGDTA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Soft pulls, subtle digs: The Tour of Flanders mind games have already begun \u2013 Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SkNFyskkTPC8G6jb7nWK9V-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SkNFyskkTPC8G6jb7nWK9V-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SkNFyskkTPC8G6jb7nWK9V-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SkNFyskkTPC8G6jb7nWK9V-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SkNFyskkTPC8G6jb7nWK9V-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It was clear that Mathieu was not pulling full gas&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert foiled by &#8216;defensive&#8217; ride from Van der Poel in promising In Flanders Fields attack<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/43r7CCJvkR4CRMPwgc3o9C-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/43r7CCJvkR4CRMPwgc3o9C-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/43r7CCJvkR4CRMPwgc3o9C-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/43r7CCJvkR4CRMPwgc3o9C-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/43r7CCJvkR4CRMPwgc3o9C-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;d have been nicer if the finish was 150 metres earlier&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert rues heartbreaking near miss in Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Why Poga\u010dar and Van Aert&#8217;s teams aren&#8217;t sensing weakness for the Tour of Flanders despite Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s near-miss at E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xWfeX2yNpSsweaciMeFruR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xWfeX2yNpSsweaciMeFruR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xWfeX2yNpSsweaciMeFruR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xWfeX2yNpSsweaciMeFruR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xWfeX2yNpSsweaciMeFruR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sticky situation for Filippo Ganna resolved with 200 CHF fine after taking victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RZPKZeofqLnbQCo582hApD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RZPKZeofqLnbQCo582hApD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RZPKZeofqLnbQCo582hApD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RZPKZeofqLnbQCo582hApD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RZPKZeofqLnbQCo582hApD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He needs to call my girlfriend, because she&#8217;s preparing a fantastic dinner for Easter&#8217; \u2013 Despite dramatic Dwars fightback, Filippo Ganna says Paris-Roubaix remains his next race, not the Tour of Flanders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHLxGrWU2fCg4Mw43wZRES-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHLxGrWU2fCg4Mw43wZRES-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHLxGrWU2fCg4Mw43wZRES-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHLxGrWU2fCg4Mw43wZRES-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHLxGrWU2fCg4Mw43wZRES-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Why Remco Evenepoel is right to make his Tour of Flanders debut now, and how he could challenge Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdyjvfBtQGcrdvvymtNZJd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdyjvfBtQGcrdvvymtNZJd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdyjvfBtQGcrdvvymtNZJd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdyjvfBtQGcrdvvymtNZJd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdyjvfBtQGcrdvvymtNZJd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Remco Evenepoel will ride the Tour of Flanders in shock debut<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GMa4ASYgRv25ymMnYxb5Wo-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GMa4ASYgRv25ymMnYxb5Wo-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GMa4ASYgRv25ymMnYxb5Wo-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GMa4ASYgRv25ymMnYxb5Wo-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GMa4ASYgRv25ymMnYxb5Wo-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;They told us they were going to kill us&#8217; &#8211; Aggressive driver arrested for endangering US criterium champion after video of road rage incident went viral<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3J95fBiX8AU8aJKCfy8gT-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3J95fBiX8AU8aJKCfy8gT-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3J95fBiX8AU8aJKCfy8gT-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3J95fBiX8AU8aJKCfy8gT-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3J95fBiX8AU8aJKCfy8gT-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Emerging Talents<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Instagram DMs, quiet Belgian side streets, and phone calls with parents \u2013 Inside the race to snap up cycling&#8217;s next top talents<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Safety<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I was wrapped into a thorn field and they couldn&#8217;t find me&#8217; \u2013 Marlen Reusser recounts her experience of being lost for an hour after a crash, as she advocates for GPS trackers<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ik3zkfcMqVF82P3Tgv3UoJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ik3zkfcMqVF82P3Tgv3UoJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ik3zkfcMqVF82P3Tgv3UoJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ik3zkfcMqVF82P3Tgv3UoJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ik3zkfcMqVF82P3Tgv3UoJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I just don&#8217;t feel the best&#8217; \u2013 Lingering illness continues to disrupt Elisa Longo Borghini with time running out to recover fully for Tour of Flanders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xWfeX2yNpSsweaciMeFruR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xWfeX2yNpSsweaciMeFruR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xWfeX2yNpSsweaciMeFruR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xWfeX2yNpSsweaciMeFruR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xWfeX2yNpSsweaciMeFruR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sticky situation for Filippo Ganna resolved with 200 CHF fine after taking victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rvJ5YSwVaD8FcdVZnz3TcD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rvJ5YSwVaD8FcdVZnz3TcD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rvJ5YSwVaD8FcdVZnz3TcD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rvJ5YSwVaD8FcdVZnz3TcD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rvJ5YSwVaD8FcdVZnz3TcD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Mads Pedersen definitely on the up but his sprint is  &#8216;the part missing from the injury&#8217; ahead of Tour of Flanders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DUyVFyZQHFfw4JrZh8xkQL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DUyVFyZQHFfw4JrZh8xkQL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DUyVFyZQHFfw4JrZh8xkQL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DUyVFyZQHFfw4JrZh8xkQL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DUyVFyZQHFfw4JrZh8xkQL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;For me it was perfect&#8217; \u2013 Marlen Reusser profits from Demi Vollering breakaway and post-injury strength to grab Dwars door Vlaanderen victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zce5G3DYsHjGfsRMTdjQpF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zce5G3DYsHjGfsRMTdjQpF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zce5G3DYsHjGfsRMTdjQpF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zce5G3DYsHjGfsRMTdjQpF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zce5G3DYsHjGfsRMTdjQpF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I told him for so many years to do it, and he didn&#8217;t&#8217; \u2013 Patrick Lefevere reacts to Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s Tour of Flanders debut, having failed to convince him at Soudal-QuickStep<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cmut5khmG6QR5j4KtZaZSD.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;I was wrapped into a thorn field and they couldn&#8217;t find me&#8217; \u2013 Marlen Reusser recounts her experience of being lost for an hour after a crash, as she advocates for GPS trackers<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Action camera jargon buster: What do all the specs and complex terminology mean?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Sticky situation for Filippo Ganna resolved with 200 CHF fine after taking victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;I just don&#8217;t feel the best&#8217; \u2013 Lingering illness continues to disrupt Elisa Longo Borghini with time running out to recover fully for Tour of Flanders<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Mads Pedersen definitely on the up but his sprint is  &#8216;the part missing from the injury&#8217; ahead of Tour of Flanders<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nVisma-Lease a Bike\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWout van Aert\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Two races, two big attacks, no win \u2013 What do Wout van Aert&#8217;s double close defeats mean for the Tour of Flanders?<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nNews<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-01T17:05:41Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n1 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">&#8216;In the end it&#8217;s about winning, and it&#8217;s a big pity that we lost out today&#8217; says Visma DS Niermann, but has no worries ahead of Flanders<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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In theory, a rider of his stature should be pegged to win from that situation, especially given the lack of any huge rivals behind. But for many watching, the optimism wasn&#8217;t quite there.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s because Van Aert has been burned before in these situations, as recently as a couple of days ago. At In Flanders Fields, Van Aert was away with Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) in what looked like a race-winning move, but a defensive ride from Van der Poel saw them brought back.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-68681787-8eca-4239-828a-5ae458655dc4-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">And of course who could forget this day last year, when Van Aert somehow lost a Visma three-against-one battle in the finale, the Dutch team somehow messing it up so badly that Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost), severely outnumbered, beat them all in Waregem.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SKkMGBtSCAA23AaBz9KDyX-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SKkMGBtSCAA23AaBz9KDyX-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;We&#8217;ll certainly not make that same mistake again&#8217; \u2013 Can Wout van Aert and Visma take revenge at Dwars door Vlaanderen a year on from three-against-one tactical blunder?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jERYENCJy3sLQDAJNhVTPM-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jERYENCJy3sLQDAJNhVTPM-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I want to put up a fight&#8217;  &#8211; Wout van Aert in upbeat mood for In Flanders Fields<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MKWBaDLoZMm6zxaaaxGDTA-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MKWBaDLoZMm6zxaaaxGDTA-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Soft pulls, subtle digs: The Tour of Flanders mind games have already begun \u2013 Analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">He also had a really terrible day here in 2024, crashing horrendously at the foot of the Kanarieberg and ruined the rest of his spring. So everyone was taking Wednesday&#8217;s ride with a bit of a pinch of salt, even as he entered the final 3km alone, and in the end, the foreboding was warranted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">In an unfortunate replica of last year, Van Aert&#8217;s head dropped as he crossed the line, just caught by winner Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) at the very last moment. Another day, another big effort, another loss.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Van Aert was expectedly disappointed at the finish, saying he had &#8220;tried everything I had&#8221;, but practically before he even had a chance to step onto the podium, talk had turned to what this means for the week&#8217;s biggest goal, the Tour of Flanders.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Two big attacks, to go with Van der Poel on Sunday and on his own on Wednesday, are surely good signs about his form, but there is also the obvious issue that he&#8217;s not been able to win yet this season.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-P2k5NKWaboX6UAztV7s5JE\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-P2k5NKWaboX6UAztV7s5JE slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Are those rides still positive despite the end result? Yes and no, Visma Directeur Sportiff Grischa Niermann told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> at the finish of Dwars door Vlaanderen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;The result is more important because we want to win races,&#8221; he said. &#8220;But I think in the end we have to be very satisfied with the shape that Wout is in and that Per [Strand Hagenes] and Christophe [Laporte] are in. That&#8217;s it for the moment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;We always want to win bike races and of course we are also looking at the process, we need to be in good shape. But in the end it&#8217;s about winning, and it&#8217;s a big pity that we lost out today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SkNFyskkTPC8G6jb7nWK9V-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SkNFyskkTPC8G6jb7nWK9V-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;It was clear that Mathieu was not pulling full gas&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert foiled by &#8216;defensive&#8217; ride from Van der Poel in promising In Flanders Fields attack<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/43r7CCJvkR4CRMPwgc3o9C-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/43r7CCJvkR4CRMPwgc3o9C-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;It&#8217;d have been nicer if the finish was 150 metres earlier&#8217; \u2013 Wout van Aert rues heartbreaking near miss in Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/isP3PbU6FdHrUojBNey3wF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Why Poga\u010dar and Van Aert&#8217;s teams aren&#8217;t sensing weakness for the Tour of Flanders despite Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s near-miss at E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">As to the reasons why Van Aert missed the win on Wednesday, Niermann didn&#8217;t point to any one big issue, with the Belgian himself just running out of gas a few hundred metres too early.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;It&#8217;s always the little things that maybe you could have done differently, but I think everybody fought, we had a good team,&#8221; Nierman said. &#8220;Especially Per and Christophe were really strong, they tried to block it also in the back. In the end it&#8217;s a pity that Wout gets caught on the line, that&#8217;s cycling.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">In fact, Niermann said that Van Aert did &#8220;exactly what he wanted to do&#8221; and that there wasn&#8217;t an obvious better way to play it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;Wout did exactly what he wanted to do, he wanted to go on Eikenberg and he went across to the attackers and that was perfect,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;With hindsight, it would have been better if he was with someone else because then for sure they would have made it to the finish, but in the end Wout also had to drop [Niklas] Larsen and [Romain] Gr\u00e9goire because they were not strong enough maybe. Then also in the end if you&#8217;re with two, there are always some games that are beginning to be played, so I think going solo was the best option.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-dc282d34-ef2f-4ba4-8cca-e7c5e7fb8f4a\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bH6zi3iJyrJR2gEqvCwm96-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bH6zi3iJyrJR2gEqvCwm96-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bH6zi3iJyrJR2gEqvCwm96-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bH6zi3iJyrJR2gEqvCwm96-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bH6zi3iJyrJR2gEqvCwm96-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bH6zi3iJyrJR2gEqvCwm96-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Wout van Aert of Visma-Lease a Bike on second place (left) stands on the podium next to winner Filippo Ganna of Ineos Grenadiers and third-placed S\u00f8ren W\u00e6renskjold\u00a0of Uno-X Mobility <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-8bf05113-1f30-4ec6-ac22-34e886043926\">Of course, all of these races are, to an extent, precursors to the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, which Van Aert has long held as his goals of the season. Winning mid-week would be good, but winning one of those Monuments would be better.<\/p>\n<p>Though he will go into Sunday now with two disappointing defeats \u2013 and one very buoying ride at Milan-San Remo \u2013 in his pocket, Niermann was clear that these losses don&#8217;t present a problem or headache for Flanders, which will be on another level.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t think so,&#8221; he said when asked if the team needed to change or fix anything ahead of Flanders. &#8220;Sunday will be a totally different race. If it was already hard today, it will be much harder. The two big favourites will be there, everybody will look to them, and for Wout it&#8217;s good to know that he is in a good place and he&#8217;s in good shape.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Niermann spoke about two big favourites, Van der Poel and Tadej Poga\u010dar, but there will be another big name in the mix: Remco Evenepoel. Rather than another threat, Visma are seeing the Belgian&#8217;s participation as another useful ally in the battle to topple Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;For us it&#8217;s good if more strong riders are there, because in the end everybody knows that Tadej will be the strongest, everybody knows where he can drop everyone, then you have to try to follow and if you can&#8217;t follow then you&#8217;re happy when you have some other strong riders with you, so I absolutely see it as an advantage.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, no matter how Van Aert performed this week \u2013 even if he had won both Sunday and Wednesday&#8217;s races \u2013 he would still go into Flanders as at most the third-best rider, such is Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Monument dominance. It&#8217;s hard to imagine anything he could have done to change that.<\/p>\n<p>Being beaten twice is plainly not good, but Niermann&#8217;s words are more than just team PR speak, there&#8217;s a truth to it. Van Aert has been strong, so have his teammates, and he&#8217;ll go into Flanders uninjured and fully aware of what is needed from him.<\/p>\n<p>Whether that is enough to fight for the win on Sunday remains to be seen, but the Belgian has at the very least shown that he refuses to be counted out.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a0d2104e-c51f-4f35-9439-47ea55774a28\"><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled 2026 Spring Classics coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders.<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>Find out more<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/two-races-two-big-attacks-no-win-what-do-wout-van-aerts-double-close-defeats-mean-for-the-tour-of-flanders\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/j3eb8Rozw7gVHmDzZi8JTD-2500-80.jpg&#8221;] Pro Cycling Teams &amp; Riders Visma-Lease a Bike Wout van Aert Two races, two big attacks, no win \u2013 What do Wout van Aert&#8217;s double close defeats mean for the Tour of Flanders? News By Matilda Price published 1 April 2026 &#8216;In the end it&#8217;s about winning, and it&#8217;s a big pity [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-1861040","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1861040","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1861040"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1861040\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1861040"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1861040"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1861040"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}