Wout van Aert, known for his extraordinary versatility and resilience on the road, recently opened up about the physical and mental strain he experienced during a grueling time trial effort. Speaking candidly after the race, the Belgian cycling star didn’t shy away from describing the pain he endured on the bike — but he also took a moment to highlight the performance of a rising talent, Daan Hoole, whose unexpected showing turned heads in the cycling world.
The time trial, a discipline where riders are left alone against the clock, has long been a battleground for both raw power and mental tenacity. Van Aert is no stranger to this format. He’s claimed multiple time trial victories across his career, but this one tested him in new ways.
“It Was Pure Agony”
Reflecting on his ride, Van Aert didn’t hold back. “It was really agony,” he admitted. “Every part of my body was screaming by the end. The position, the effort, the heat — everything combined made it one of the toughest time trials I’ve done in a long time.”
Time trial bikes, while engineered for aerodynamic gains, are notoriously uncomfortable. Riders adopt an aggressive posture that sacrifices ergonomics in favor of speed. For someone like Van Aert, who’s coming back into top form after injury setbacks and a demanding spring season, even a slight loss of rhythm or discomfort can be magnified.
“I could feel that I didn’t have the same fluidity,” he said. “The form is coming, but I’m still not 100%. These kinds of efforts really expose where you’re at physically. There’s nowhere to hide on a TT bike.”
Despite the struggle, Van Aert still posted a respectable time, showing that even on a challenging day, his class remains. However, his focus wasn’t entirely on his own performance.
A Shout-Out to a Rising Star
Daan Hoole, the young Dutch rider from Lidl-Trek, delivered a performance that few expected — least of all the seasoned pros in the field. His time trial wasn’t just solid; it was competitive enough to put him in the conversation with some of the discipline’s elite.
Van Aert took notice.
“Hoole really surprised a lot of people today,” he said. “It’s not easy to perform like that, especially when the field is this deep. But he handled it with maturity and strength. Clearly, he’s making progress — you can see it in how he rides and how he carries himself.”
Hoole’s ride was all the more impressive considering the stage’s challenging profile and the pressure that comes with riding among world-class contenders. While he may not have reached the podium, his effort did not go unnoticed.
For Van Aert, recognizing emerging talent is part of what makes the sport exciting.
“We need these young guys to come up and challenge the established names,” he added. “That’s what keeps the level high. If you see someone like Daan stepping up, it motivates everyone.”
Signs of a Strong Return
While Van Aert’s post-race comments highlighted his physical struggle, they also pointed to a more optimistic underlying theme — progress. After suffering injuries earlier in the season and dealing with recovery setbacks, Van Aert has been slowly rebuilding his condition. Each race serves as both a fitness test and a confidence builder.
“This race was painful, yes, but it’s a sign that I’m getting closer to where I want to be,” he said. “When you feel the pain and still push through — that’s when you know you’re on the right path.”
The Belgian powerhouse remains a vital asset to Team Visma | Lease a Bike, both as a leader and as a mentor to younger riders. His ability to compete in time trials, sprints, mountain stages, and classics makes him one of the most complete riders of his generation. But even the most versatile athletes have to manage form carefully, especially with major goals on the horizon.
“I’m not where I need to be yet,” Van Aert acknowledged, “but I’m getting there. I’m motivated by the little signs of improvement. Every race, every effort — they all add up.”
Looking Ahead
With the season entering a critical phase, Van Aert’s attention will turn toward upcoming objectives. While he didn’t specify his next target, many expect him to play a key role in his team’s Grand Tour ambitions or the World Championships later in the year. His time trial form, even under less-than-ideal conditions, suggests that he’s building toward a peak.
And as for Hoole, Van Aert made it clear that fans should keep their eyes on the young Dutchman.
“Sometimes all it takes is one big ride to change how people see you — and how you see yourself,” Van Aert said. “For Daan, I think this was one of those rides. He’s got the engine, and now he’s proving he’s got the head for it too.”
In a sport that constantly evolves and tests its athletes, moments like these — a veteran fighting through pain, a young rider breaking through — remind us why cycling remains so compelling. Van Aert’s openness about his struggles only deepens the respect fans have for him, while his support for Hoole shows a generosity of spirit that defines the best champions.
As both riders pedal forward in their respective trajectories, one thing is certain: the road ahead, however painful, promises to be exciting.
