National coach Serge Pauwels has responded to Wout van Aert’s withdrawal from both the European Championships and the Road World Championships. Pauwels respects his compatriot’s decision but finds it unfortunate. "Someone like Wout certainly could have been a contender at the World Championships in Rwanda, if conditions had been favorable. And even if he couldn’t have won himself, Wout would have been a very important asset within the team."
However, Pauwels understands the withdrawal well. "Shortly after the Tour, Wout informed me. During the Tour, we talked a few times, also with his coach Mathieu Heijboer, and even before the Tour it looked like it would be a no. Still, at that moment I was able to partly convince him to consider both championships. The agreement then was that we would only make a decision after the Tour."
"But his build-up towards the Tour already consisted of several phases, with the Spring Classics and the Giro. It was already a very demanding season, and for next year he naturally wants to be ready again. Wout now really needs a proper build-up. From the outside, we see a Van Aert who finished the Tour fantastically and who apparently is improving in form. But that’s not how it works."
"You can’t just place the Wout who won on the Champs-Élysées in Rwanda," he concludes. After the Tour, some decompression is necessary. Moreover, the World Championships in Rwanda require specific preparation regarding altitude and heat. Those are factors that really play an important role. As a rider, you need to be able to recharge for that; it’s understandable that for him it would be a bit too much."
