Wout Van Aert has already had more success at the Tour de France than most, winning one stage in 2019 wearing the best young rider jersey and taking two stage wins and a super-domestic mountain prize at this year's Tour.
Looking at the 2021 Tour de France route announced on Sunday, the Belgian sees an opportunity in the two individual time trials and perhaps an opportunity to wear the maillot jaune in the first week.
In an interview with Wielerflits.nl (opens in new tab), Van Aert said that the longest stage of the individual time trial since 2013 against the clock stands out the most.
"Much more than last year, and I welcome that. Time trials are part of the Tour and part of every Grand Tour, assuming that the most perfect rider possible must win. It's great that the first time trial is on Wednesday," Van Aert said. [Plus, I think it will make it a more classic Tour. The first week is "normal," followed by the Alps and the Pyrenees. Also impressive is that the stages are shorter than we are used to.
The 2021 Tour de France opens in Brittany, with the first stage for the punchy sprinters and the second stage finishing in Mulle de Brittany, followed by two flat stages and the first time trial.
"It will be different for the classification riders. You can't win the Tour in the first week, but you can lose. There will be more stress. I haven't raced in Brittany yet, but I think the wind will be a factor. But I don't think we should fear that at Jumbo Visma. We have the riders for it," Van Aert said.
He said the first week could be his chance to wear the maillot jaune for the first time in his career, but carefully noted that his role will also include supporting the team's GC leader.
"That kind of thing can only be said once we have an effective plan with the team and the tactics are clear. That is, of course, if we are in shape at that point."
The 2021 Tour de France was rescheduled a week earlier than planned after the Olympic Games were postponed to next year due to a coronavirus outbreak. Nevertheless, the Tour de France will end on July 18, and the elite men's road race will be held just six days later.
Van Aert completed a tough Tour de France this year and won a silver medal behind Julien Alaphilippe at the world championships in Imola. That was a good test," he said. It was a good test, especially because I gave it my all until the last day of the Tour," said Alaphilippe. On the other hand, you can't compare the World Championships with the competition. There's the climate in Tokyo, and there's the jet lag. It's not the same as moving from Paris to Imola; I still don't know what 2021 will be like for me. But I fear I will have to make a choice."
[20That choice could include an early end to the Tour de France, which would eliminate Van Aat's desire to win the green jersey.
"The Olympics only come once every four years. That means you only get three chances as a professional athlete, and it depends on the course." It also depends on the course. But it also takes years to win the green jersey.
"Just like you can't win the Tour de Flanders on your first attempt. So I also believe that I have to invest to win the green jersey. In that sense, I don't want to miss too many opportunities. But both are so close ....... I can't answer that question yet."
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