Wout van Aert made clear that he wished “to do one thing particular” this summer season on the Tour de France in a telephone name with Visma-Lease a Bike’s sporting director, Merijn Zeeman, which led to him getting a spot on the crew.
Visma-Lease a Bike revealed on Thursday morning that the Belgian could be a part of the crew’s squad that travels to Florence subsequent week alongside Jonas Vingegaard.
Van Aert confronted a race in opposition to the clock to return to full health after sustaining a number of fractures in a crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen within the spring.
Zeeman revealed on Thursday that Van Aert known as him and the crew’s lead sports activities director, Grischa Niermann, to clarify that he was dedicated to their plans to take Vingegaard again to the Tour with the purpose of profitable a 3rd straight title.
When requested whether or not Van Aert was completely focussed on serving to Vingegaard, Zeeman joked that he hoped for a little bit of controversy amongst the crew with the intention to add to the narrative in the Netflix sequence Tour de France:Unchained.
Nonetheless, Zeeman made clear that Van Aert would even be given the licence to go on the assault in pursuit of stage wins and an early yellow jersey, ought to the chance materialise on the highway.
“I hope that we’ll actually get some controversy once more as a result of it is good for the documentary on the finish of the season so we have to create a few of that,” Zeeman joked. “Or possibly we are able to remedy it with Belgium and Denmark taking part in in opposition to one another within the European Championships after which it is also solved.
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“Wout known as me and he known as Grischa to say that he was actually motivated to go to the Tour to do one thing particular for the crew, with the crew, and this implies being with Jonas preventing for yellow. So like each different 12 months, Wout is the very best helper that Jonas can have. He actually makes a distinction as a rider, as an individual, and as a pacesetter.
“It could be incredible if he may win a stage as effectively as a result of a champion like him actually deserves that.”
“Matteo has an opportunity to win the Tour in his profession as effectively”
(Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Alongside Van Aert and Vingegaard, Matteo Jorgenson was additionally named within the crew’s lineup. Since his transfer from Movistar, Jorgenson has loved an excellent marketing campaign thus far which has included general victory at Paris-Good.
The American additionally gained Dwars door Vlaanderen within the spring.
Nonetheless, Zeeman made clear that regardless of his type thus far, Jorgenson would journey to the race begin in Italy with the principle goal being using in help of his crew chief.
“Jonas is the one rider in our crew at this second who can win the Tour de France,” Zeeman stated. “I actually imagine that Matteo Jorgenson will likely be a really superb rider sooner or later. I believe Matteo has an opportunity to win the Tour in his profession as effectively, however he’s nonetheless growing.”
“I believe if we analyse the WorldTour season thus far, Matteo is among the many greatest riders on the earth proper now. It is a exceptional development. He’s a extremely incredible rider to have within the crew and he’s unbelievable to work with, an actual chief, and he actually makes our crew stronger.
“You by no means know what occurs within the Tour. However Matteo could be very clear that he’s going to the tour to assist Jonas. The intention could be very clear that he needs to assist the crew and he’ll assist the crew by supporting Jonas as greatest as potential.”
