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Wout van Aert faces a challenging comeback, finishing 24 minutes behind in the opening stage of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. This race marks his first appearance since his historic win at Paris-Roubaix in April, and expectations were high.
Van Aert admits he wasn't in top form, stating, "Unfortunately, I was not feeling great immediately." Despite the tough course, he opted for a conservative approach, choosing not to push himself too hard. His recent training crash, which left him with bandages on his right arm and leg, certainly added to the challenge. "It was not a nice crash," he explained, detailing how he lost control of his time trial bike in a pothole.
Looking ahead, the second stage offers a gentler route, and Van Aert hopes to improve. He aims to use this race as preparation for the upcoming Tour de France and Vuelta. "It's always an important week," he said, emphasizing the potential for growth in his performance. With a busy summer ahead, Van Aert's focus remains on regaining his competitive edge.
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