Wout Van Aert (Vimaris-a-Bike) has seen his hopes of a sixth consecutive Tour de France victory dashed.

The 29-year-old Belgian champion has won nine times in the Tour. Perhaps no other rider has won on such a varied course in recent years, from time trials to group sprints to solo victories in mountain stages, including the terrifying double climb of Mont Ventoux in 2021.

But after his early-season travails, which included a huge crash at Dwars door Hlaanderen and missing his initial goal of a Giro d'Italia debut, Van Aat said Thursday that he is not setting himself a high bar in the Tour. But he also said that the difficulties he experienced in the first half of 2024 made him happy to simply make it to the Grande Pearl in Florence.

"It's been a tough year for me," he said. So unfortunately I can't have the same goals in the Tour as I did in other seasons."

"I've never started the Tour de France in such bad shape, and I feel that's unusual. After the crash I did a lot of work but I'm still not in such good shape."

"I'm not in such good shape yet.

As for what he can accomplish in the next Tour de France, Van Aert dismissed comparisons to 2021, when he underwent appendectomy before the race but then won three stages. This time, he said, he came back from a tougher scenario in terms of physical injury and recovery. Consistently, his options for the upcoming Tour can be summed up in three words: wait and see."

"I will find out during the race and how much progress I can make. First on the flat, preferably on the climbs. And if I get a chance in a sprint or another stage, that would be great."

Van Aert noted that the tough start to the Tour de France and two very bumpy stages in Italy will provide an immediate series of reference points for his basic form. He said, "I'll find out soon enough how well I'm doing."

While Van Aert is trying to get the most out of his participation in cycling's biggest stage race, whether in a support role or something more high-profile, he also has the upcoming Olympics in the back of his mind. Earlier this week, the Belgian federation announced that Van Aert will compete in both the time trial and the road race, riding alongside Remco Evenpole (Soudal-Quick Step).

"Due to my fall this spring, racing here is the best option when it comes to the competition," Van Aert insisted, "but in any case the race here itself is also very important. But in any case, the race here itself is also very important." One cannot just relax and take part in the Tour for the sake of other goals.

"With any luck, I will finish the Tour in good shape and be ready to focus on the Olympics. I am proud of what I have achieved in the last two months. Whether or not I can do something special in the Tour, I can't say yet."

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