Two months after his horrible crash in Dwars door Vlaanderen, Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease A Bike) returned to racing on the Tour of Norway final week, and after putting third on the ultimate stage on Sunday, the Belgian stated that he was happy along with his comeback efficiency.
Van Aert’s crash left him with a damaged sternum, damaged collarbone and several other damaged ribs, and going through a prolonged restoration interval earlier than making his return within the four-day 2.HC race in Scandinavia.
After an uneven begin, shedding time on the primary stage after which sitting up on the second within the hilly finale, the Belgian notably improved on the final two levels results-wise. He positioned fourth on Saturday’s bunch dash after which third in one other mass sprint for the road behind Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X Mobility) and Jordi Meeus (Bora-Hansgrohe) that concluded lumpy closing day’s racing within the coastal metropolis of Stavanger.
Overall, the race was gained by Axel Laurance (Alpecin-Deceunink) forward of Van Aert’s teammate Bart Lemmen.
Van Aert stated he had been boxed in for the ultimate dash, however when it comes to the larger image, he didn’t cover his satisfaction with how his return to racing had gone.
“The most necessary factor is that I didn’t really feel any ache,” Van Aert informed Het Laatste Nieuws after the ultimate stage. “It was an excellent take a look at for me.
“I actually believed in myself at present, however I used to be boxed in 300 meters from the end. That meant I could not dash at full pace. But that was my very own fault.”
Overall, although, “My confidence has grown. I wished to check myself and I’m glad that I succeeded.”
“Quite a lot of uncertainty has gone. I felt myself getting higher and that was what I hoped for.”
Van Aert wouldn’t be drawn on what his plans are from hereon, though having missed the Giro d’Italia due to his crash, Visma-Lease A Bike haven’t dominated out a participation within the Tour de France. The Olympic Games are additionally doubtlessly on his goal listing.
“It has been a constructive week and definitely one that we are going to consider to see what lies forward,” Van Aert stated, earlier than including with a smile – “ But I’m not going to do this in entrance of a TV digital camera.”
