'I am here with more confidence than last week' – Wout van Aert not cowed by setbacks in run-up to Tour of Flanders

American Matteo Jorgenson of Team Visma-Lease a Bike and Belgian Wout van Aert of Team Visma-Lease a Bike pictured during a press conference of the Team Visma-Lease a Bike cycling team ahead of the Ronde van Vlaanderen / Tour des Flandres / Tour of Flanders cycling race, Friday 04 April 2025 in Deerlijk. The 109th edition of the cycling race will take place on Sunday 06 April. BELGA PHOTO KURT DESPLENTER (Photo by KURT DESPLENTER / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP).

Wout van Aert has never been the most exuberant personality in the peloton, but on Friday afternoon, speaking to the press ahead of the Tour of Flanders, the Visma-Lease a Bike rider was perhaps even more reserved and calm than ever.

Just two days after the team's fairly obvious failure in Dwars door Vlaanderen, the Belgian had to face up to reporters who have been critical of him and his team's racing and results for the last week.