The jury was still out on the wisdom of Wout van Aert's unconventional Classics preparation after E3 Harelbeke, where his challenge was impeded by a crash on the Paterberg. Wednesday's Dwars door Vlaanderen should offer a firmer indication, even if Van Aert knows the Tour of Flanders will be the true arbiter.
The reasoning behind Van Aert's 2024 schedule is well-known at this point. He has won Milan-San Remo, Strade Bianche, Amstel Gold Race, Gent-Wevelgem, E3 Harelbeke, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne over the years, but that hefty one-day haul still doesn't quite suffice to please his demanding constituency.
