'The enthusiasm is back' says Wout van Aert as World Championships build-up begins

JumboVisma teams Belgian rider Wout Van Aert celebrates his victory on the podium after winning the 20th stage of the 109th edition of the Tour de France cycling race 407 km individual time trial between LacapelleMarival and Rocamadour in southwestern France on July 23 2022 Photo by Thomas SAMSON AFP Photo by THOMAS SAMSONAFP via Getty Images
(Image credit: THOMAS SAMSON AFP via Getty Images)

Wout van Aert says he has recovered from a post-Tour de France slump and is looking for freshness in his build-up to the World Championships in Wollongong, with just three race days between now and the road race in Australia.

Wout van Aert won three stages and the green jersey at the Tour de France, as well as helping Jonas Vingegaard to the overall title. He took part in a number of post-Tour criterium exhibitions but pulled out of the Clásica San Sebastián and decided to take a proper break. 

Patrick Fletcher

Patrick is a freelance sports writer and editor. He’s an NCTJ-accredited journalist with a bachelor’s degree in modern languages (French and Spanish). Patrick worked full-time at Cyclingnews for eight years between 2015 and 2023, latterly as Deputy Editor.