Belgian cycling star Wout van Aert rates Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands) as the most promising candidate in the men's road event at the 2024 Olympics.
Wout van Aert is in good form at the Tour de France, as well as an impressive performance to win bronze in the men's individual time trial at the 2024 Olympics. However, the Belgian star rates Mathieu van der Poel as his biggest rival.
“The 2024 Olympic Games were generally good and exactly as I had imagined. It was great to meet so many other athletes here. It was even more surprising that so many other athletes recognised Remco and me. I never really expected that,” Wout van Aert told Wielerflits when he entered the 2024 Olympic athlete village.
The Visma-Lease a Bike star joined teammates Remco Evenepoel, Tiesj Benoot and Jasper Stuyven to watch the 2024 Olympic race.
“The track was more difficult than I thought. The hills weren’t too extreme but the route is over 270km. The difference could have been on the Montmartre slopes or anywhere else,” said Wout van Aert.
Montmartre, the cobblestoned climb, is widely regarded as the highlight of the race. “The climb in Paris is not as steep as the Tour of Flanders, but it is long…”, the Belgian rider continued.
Belgium have an extremely strong squad and the real aim is to win tomorrow's race. However, Wout van Aert has great respect for his opponent. "For me, Mathieu van der Poel is the only candidate," he said. "I disagree with Remco's assessment on that point. When you look at the single-stage races over the last few years, he really stands out."
Wout van Aert also believes there will be no “surprise victories” by lesser-known riders at the 2024 Olympics. “We cannot expect surprises. There are 90 riders in this event and 50 of them are super-talented riders,” said Wout van Aert.
KIM MINH
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/wout-van-aert-mathieu-van-der-poel-la-ung-cu-vien-sang-gia-nhat-o-lympic-2024-post752373.html
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