‘Right way to gain that last per cent’

Published 01/03/2024 at 15:37 GMT

It’s a new approach for Wout van Aert at the start of the 2024 season, as he takes himself away from the roads of northern Europe for the warmer climes of Tenerife. The idea? To peak for the twin Monuments of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix – both titles yet to feature on his considerable list of career achievements. “I am confident that this is the right way to gain that last per cent,” he said.

Van Aert dominates three-up sprint to win Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne

Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) says “staying in the comfort zone is the easiest thing” as he takes on a new approach to try and secure elusive glory at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix Monuments.

Van Aert, who won the cobbled Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne classic last weekend, is one of the most decorated multi-discipline cyclists of his generation, with three world cyclo-cross titles, multiple Tour de France stage wins and the Milan-San Remo Monument all on his palmares.

However, turning 30 this year, he is yet to taste triumph at arguably the two biggest events of the spring season.

And with that in mind, he is exploring a new avenue this year, departing for a 22-day high altitude training camp in Tenerife.

As such he will miss Strade Bianche – live this weekend on Eurosport and discovery+ – and Milan-San Remo on March 16.

Speaking to Flemish outlet HLN, he said: “The peloton gets stronger every year. So every year you have to be better than the year before to compete for the prizes.

“Always staying in the comfort zone is the easiest thing, but the reality is that I haven’t won the Ronde [Flanders] and Roubaix yet.

“That may not always have had to do with myself, but I did have the feeling that I could be even better during those two weekends than was the case in previous years.

“On the days of San Remo and Strade Bianche, it will be painful to watch those races on television after our training. Fortunately, I already have both great races [titles] under my belt.

“I am confident that this is the right way to gain that last per cent and achieve our goals.”

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Of the decision to embark on their Spanish training camp, Benoot said: “Call it a small calculated risk. Thinking a bit out of the box.

“If you go on an altitude training camp in February, you will return very well for the opening weekend and Strade Bianche, but the Tour of Flanders will follow more than a month later. By then, the effect of that altitude stimulus in February will still be minimal.

“I firmly believe in this approach, but you have to sacrifice other courses for something you are not actually sure about because it is a step into the unknown, no matter how logical it sounds.”

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