Unlucky Van Aert finishes seventh on cyclocross return in Antwerp
# Van Aert’s Comeback Cut Short by Puncture in Antwerp Cyclocross
Wout van Aert made his much-anticipated return to cyclocross in Antwerp, finishing seventh after a promising start that was thwarted by bad luck. Reflecting on his experience, Van Aert stated, “The first one is out of the way. Above all, I’m tired afterwards, because it remains a very demanding discipline. It looked like I had a chance at the podium, but unfortunately the puncture set me back.”
Despite the setback, the Belgian cyclist found reasons to feel optimistic. “My legs are at a good level. Beforehand, I hoped I would come away from this race with the feeling I have now. There’s still work to do on the technical side, and I hope to improve that in the coming weeks,” he added.
Starting from the third row of the grid, Van Aert quickly surged forward, buoyed by the support of a large crowd. However, his race took a turn for the worse when he experienced a puncture midway through, forcing him to ride some distance on a flat tyre before switching bikes in the pit area. This unfortunate incident cost him valuable time, leading to a drop in his position and ultimately settling for seventh place.
“It was great to be back,” Wout concluded, highlighting his enjoyment despite the challenges faced during the race. As he looks ahead, there is significant work to be done, but the determination to elevate his performance remains strong as the cyclocross season unfolds.
