Wout van Aert was reunited along with his misplaced Garmin by two French kids following the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Liévin.
The Belgian rider, who was held up initially of the race after a fourth-row begin, misplaced his watch on the circuit throughout the subsequent laps earlier than ending with the silver medal behind the elite males’s race winner Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands).
The three-time former cyclocross world champion was finishing up media duties after choosing up his fifth runners-up medal on the podium ceremony when two kids approached him to return the gadget.
Van Aert thought each the watch and knowledge we misplaced for good; nevertheless, the youngsters reunited the Belgian along with his watch, which appeared to have a damaged strap.
“I misplaced my Garmin watch within the final lap, apparently. I used to be in search of it once I crossed the end line, however these kids discovered it apparently,” mentioned Van Aert to the media following the race whereas ready for the rostrum ceremony to start.
“It’s ripped aside, however my coach will probably be blissful to have some knowledge from the race.”
Van Aert got here right into a shortened cyclocross season having not raced since crashing out of the Vuelta a España and struggling a critical knee harm which required hospital remedy.
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However, after choosing up two ‘cross wins this season and ending second on the Maasmechelen WorldCup final weekend, he made the shock resolution to compete on this weekend’s Cyclo-cross World Championships.
The Belgian rider, who races for the commerce staff Visma-Lease a Bike, mentioned that taking the silver medal in Liévin simply 45 seconds behind rival Van der Poel has proven his enchancment.
“I did certainly experience an excellent race as we speak. It was undoubtedly my greatest ‘cross of the winter. Outside of what I did not management, that begin, I used to be capable of do what I needed as we speak and delivered the efficiency I needed to,” Van Aert mentioned.
“I’ll undoubtedly take that with me. If you do not work, we would not take part in our achievement. It’s affirmation that I’ve gotten higher and higher from these ‘cross races.
“I had hoped this winter and on this month that I might ‘cross, that I might take each step ahead. And I believe it labored.”
Van Aert had a fourth-row begin in Liévin and misplaced 46 seconds throughout the first lap as he battled by way of from thirty seventh place.
“I received the boxed in fully within the first nook and was held up quite a bit afterwards additionally. It took fairly some time earlier than I had some freedom. I had a number of nearly crashes, I might say,” mentioned Van Aert as he described the opening laps of the race.
When requested in regards to the rip in his shorts, Van Aert dispelled rumours that he crashed, saying: “I observed solely after the end. I most likely hit a barrier or one thing. I attempted to remain calm and do my very own race from the second lap onwards.
“I shortly observed that it was exhausting to return again [to Van der Poel].”
Van Aert will head to a ultimate pre-season coaching camp earlier than making his 2025 street debut on February 17 on the Clásica Jaén.
The Belgian will then spend time at altitude in Tenerife forward of his first ‘large appointment’ on the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne on March 1 and a couple of.
“I’ll change to the (street) coaching once more beginning tomorrow,” Van Aert mentioned. “Opening weekend is the primary large appointment in Belgium, and it is coming very quickly.
When requested if his staff had been pleased with the choice for him to experience the World Championships? Van Aert replied: “I hope so. I’ll ask now.”