Just over a week after leaving the Tour de France to witness the birth of his second son, Wout Van Aert began the countdown to the World Road Championships in Glasgow on Thursday evening by competing in a criterium in his birthplace of Herentals.

As is often the case in such competitions, Van Aert held off Tour green jersey winner Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin Deceuninck) in a sprint win for the local star.

"I wasn't sure if I had won, partly because it was dark," Van Aert told Sporza.

Van Aert had declared that he would leave the Tour de France if his son arrived before the end of the race, abandoning after Jumbo-Visma teammate Jonas Vingegaard nearly clinched the overall win on stage 17, the Col de la Rose.

For the first time since his debut in 2019, Van Aert missed out on a stage win at the Tour, but finished second on stage 2 in Saint-Sebastien and stage 15 in Saint-Gervais, and third in the time trial in Combreux.

Before the Tour, Van Aert made it clear that he would not be going for the green jersey, as he wanted to stay fresh for the Glasgow World Championships, where he will compete in the road race on August 6 and the time trial on August 11.

Despite being a father, VanArt seems confident in his chances of winning the rainbow jersey.

"Everything is under control at the moment. The last few days have been hectic, but I think we are on track for the World Championships. I've had good training the last few days," Van Aert told Sporza before the start in Herentals.

"Of course, I still don't have the feeling I want as a cyclist. But hopefully I will have it just before the World Championships."

"I'm not sure I'll have the feeling I want as a cyclist yet.

Van Aert won silver medals in both the time trial and road race at the 2020 Imola World Championships and was a close second to Filippo Ganna in the time trial in Bruges the following year. He was fourth in last year's road race in Wollongong, but his compatriot Lemko Evenpoel won the race single-handedly and overwhelmingly.

VanArt, who tested his legs Thursday night, said he was pleased with the way they felt.

"The leg could have been a little better, but I'm satisfied. But I'm satisfied."

"I had a good workout this week and will continue to do so. And next week I'm going to rest up and get ready for the World Cup."

VanArt added that leaving the tour a few days early had made little difference to his approach to the World Championships, suggesting that he was surrounded by happy emotions about becoming a father.

"It's the same for everyone. Those from the Tour have to stay focused and get fresh," Van Aert said. 'We couldn't have done any better in the last few weeks. Conditions are status quo, very good."