Wout Van Aert prioritising 2023 Cycling World Championships over Tour de France green jersey

ByNigel Chiu

Published 24/12/2022 at 13:52 GMT

Wout van Aert says defending his green jersey at next year’s Tour de France is not a target, as he looks to win stages before focusing on the UCI Cycling World Championships. Both events take place within two weeks of each other, so Van Aert may not ride all the way to the end in Paris so he can recharge and be fully ready to win the rainbow jersey in Glasgow.

Wout van Aert has revealed his main goals for 2023 are the UCI Cycling World Championships and stage wins at the Tour de France, rather than the green jersey.

Van Aert dominated his way to the points classification at this year’s Tour, winning three stages along the way.

But, the World Championships, which brings together all forms of the sport over 11 days, sees the men’s road race take place on August 6, two weeks after the conclusion of the Tour.

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“Green was a great adventure, but stage victories are more memorable and the World Championships is the higher goal,” Van Aert told Sporza at Jumbo-Visma’s 2023 team presentation.

“That's why I don't want to focus on the points for green from the start. It could become a goal during the Tour, but I will choose my days much more [carefully].

“In the final week you still have many opportunities. You can make choices then, and it’s much more sensible that way.”

So then... can Wout van Aert win yellow?

The hilly World Championships course in Glasgow next summer should suit Van Aert, who is one of the most versatile riders currently in the sport.

A busy 2022 meant the Belgian wasn’t at his best coming into this year’s World Championships in Wollongong, where he saw team-mate Remco Evenepoel win the rainbow jersey.

One goal for Van Aert in 2023 will be the cyclo-cross World Championships in February, before he focuses on the road.

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The Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix in April will be targeted by the 28-year-old, two races he is yet to win. However, he will not race Liege-Bastogne-Liege, deciding to end his classics season early.

“I want to win the Ronde and/or Roubaix,” said Van Aert. “These are high, but also logical ambitions. And I am extra motivated after what happened this year [when he tested positive for coronavirus before Flanders and finished second in Paris-Roubaix].

“It was a difficult decision not to go to Liege, but I want to focus on the summer because the Tour and the World Championships are so close.”

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