Bakelants and Boonen don’t understand Wout van Aert’s choice: “A strange twist”

There has already been a lot said and written about it: Wout van Aert's decision not to start in the E3 Saxo Classic. The Belgian is skipping this cobbled classic to focus on the Monuments. An incomprehensible choice, according to Tom Boonen and Jan Bakelants in Wielerclub Wattage.

In the podcast, both men discuss Van Aert’s non-participation. “I find it a shame that he’s not starting. In reality, he only has four or five races left where he can make a difference. If you skip one of those, you simply reduce your chances of victory,” says Boonen.

“It’s no secret that I always liked racing the E3, because then we’d really know where he stands. I would sooner drop Gent-Wevelgem (now called In Flanders Fields, ed.). That race is less relevant for him heading into the Tour of Flanders.”

Bakelants also has little understanding for the choice of his good friend and training partner. “Apparently, it was decided a long time ago, but I don’t know either. I find it a strange decision, because I think the E3 is a very meaningful race to see where he really stands. Moreover, he has already won it twice.”

“But apparently it’s more interesting for him to go and do god knows what in Waregem (referring to Dwars door Vlaanderen, ed.), although I don’t think that’s the most important race in his overall build-up. And besides: if he wins in Waregem, people say: yeah, that’s normal. While the E3 - after the Monuments - is still one of the most important spring races. Letting that opportunity go is a shame.”