It was a new—and it has to be said, significantly Hulk-ier—version of Wout on the finish line at E3 Saxo Classic last week. And TBH, we’re not mad about it.
Typically considered one of the more taciturn riders in the pro peloton, Van Aert’s reaction to his sprint win over Mathieu Van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar was actually kind of refreshing:
“It’s been a long while since I’ve won a race on the road bike,” he told press post-race. And clearly, it was an emotional win.
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While the race comes ahead of the bigger Flanders Classics Week races—Gent-Wevelgem, Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Tour of Flanders—the racing was still damn good.
If you’re going to win any sprint, winning it against your chief rival on- and off-road (Van der Poel) and freakin’ Pogačar is a good way to do it.
It was especially impressive considering earlier in the 203-kilometer race, Van Aert appeared to be having a tough day, originally losing contact with Van der Poel and Pogačar before reeling them back in.
Another example of the UCI's selective rule enforcement
Now, this race did have its own share of finish line controversy: CyclingNews reported that Van Aert was seen having his chain lubed by a team mechanic (hanging out the window of a follow car) with 22 kilometers of racing left.
Technically illegal—but as Jumbo Visma apparently said afterwards, ‘everybody does it.’
According to CyclingNews, UCI regulations state that “the greasing of chains from a moving vehicle shall be forbidden” with the punishment for the rider being a fine and “elimination or disqualification.”
Given that just weeks ago, we saw Kristen Faulkner DQ'ed from her podium finish at Strade Bianche for wearing a CGM device (that she submitted paperwork to show wasn't transmitted), it does seem a little wild that Van Aert isn’t even receiving a slap on the wrist or fine for getting a last-minute chain lube.
According to Nieuwsblad, commissaires decided that he received no advantage from the mid-race lube, so there was no issue.
We’re stoked on his win, absolutely. It was a kick-ass sprint, and it’s doubtful his freshly lubed chain gave him that much of an advantage.
And Van Aert shouldn’t be blamed for the UCI not enforcing certain rules and regulations. However, the UCI certainly should be held accountable for selectively enforcing rules as they see fit. It causes confusion for the racers and sets a bad precedent for teams making certain decisions in-race.
Molly writes about cycling, nutrition and training, with an emphasis on women in sport. Her new middle-grade series, Shred Girls, debuts with Rodale Kids/Random House in 2019 with "Lindsay's Joyride." Her other books include "Mud, Snow and Cyclocross," "Saddle, Sore" and "Fuel Your Ride." Her work has been published in magazines like Bicycling, Outside and Nylon. She co-hosts The Consummate Athlete Podcast.
