• Second in Paris-Roubaix, the Belgian obtained his best ranking on the queen of the classics.

  • Uncertain until the end after a complicated Covid, the cyclist showed that he was back.

  • Even if the race leaves him with some regrets.

Failed again.

If he already has a track record as long as his arm at 27, Paris-Roubaix still refuses Wout Van Aert.

Second Sunday behind the Dutchman Dylan Van Baarle, the Belgian still obtained his best ranking in the queen of the classics.

“I am absolutely not disappointed with this second place.

It's a nice surprise to have felt so good during the race.

I am proud of this podium”, assured the cyclist at the end of the race.

It must be said that this podium has a particular resonance after the last complicated weeks.

Affected by the Covid and forced to give up the Tour of Flanders, the star of Belgian cycling, author of a magnificent start to the season, had to bite the brakes.

Withdrawing from the Amstel Gold Race last week, Van Aert hesitated until the end before taking the start of the race.

Regrets in the end

“It was a collective decision with my team, my coach and the medical staff.

After the Covid, it took me a week to resume training.

I felt very tired at the end of each session but two days ago I felt that I was recovering better and that I hadn't lost my form too much.

It was a good decision to take the start of the race”, recognizes the champion.

Especially since he didn't miss much to pull off the perfect shot and win at Roubaix.

But Van Aert had bad luck by puncturing and having to change his bike 35 miles from the finish.

And when Van Baarle broke away from the group of favorites, it was too late.

“There are always regrets after the race.

When Dylan (Van Baarle) comes out, you know he's strong.

But you also tell yourself that Lampaert is strong, that Mathieu (Van der Poel) is strong.

It's hard to make the best decision.

Without the puncture and the change of bike, I might have also had more energy in the final.

But Dylan finished nearly two minutes ahead of us.

That means he was the strongest,” admits Van Aert bluntly.

It will be on Sunday in Liège-Bastogne-Liège

Winner of the Het Nieuwsblaad and the GP E3 in March, the Fleming would have dreamed of adding to his excellent start to the season the Tour of Flanders and/or Paris-Roubaix, two monuments he has not yet won.

But the Covid went through it to the chagrin of the champion who will line up on Sunday against Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

With the desire to show that he is indeed back.

Paris-Roubaix: Van Baarle's big day, Van Aert on the podium...Relive the race live with us

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