'I can build on that result' - Van Aert targets stage wins at Tirreno-Adriatico as he continues building form for Classics

Van Aert was one of the early finishers in Lido di Camaiore on stage 1's race against the clock, and the Belgian didn’t feature towards the pointy end of the standings, finishing 59th and 1:10 behind stage winner Filippo Ganna. 

A relaxed Van Aert at the finish admitted that it was the plan to take the time trial conservatively, and continue focusing on building form as he continues his comeback after fracturing his ankle at the Zilvermeercross in Mol at the start of January.

“The feeling was good, I came here without any expectations for the TT, so I pushed a little bit, as it could be a good warm-up for tomorrow,” said Van Aert when asked by CyclingProNet how he felt during his effort.

There were plenty of positive signs for Van Aert after a 10th-place finish at Strade Bianche on his second race day of the road season, and he hopes to be able to continue on a positive trajectory, with a stage win an ambition for the week ahead. 

"I can build on that result,” Van Aert told Sporza. “It’s going to be a tough week with many long stages. I hope to be able to fight for the win in a few stages."

Visma | Lease a Bike has Matteo Jorgenson, who is a contender for the GC, having won Paris-Nice in the previous two seasons. The American finished 16th on the opening stage, 0:44 behind Ganna, shipping just a handful of seconds to some of the other pre-race favourites. 

But there’s scope within the Dutch team to target stage victories as Van Aert suggested, and one of those could be the aforementioned stage 2, which features a gravel finale and an uphill finish to San Gimignano.

The final 5km takes place on gravel as the road rises to the finish with gradients peaking at 14% under the flamme rouge, making this a prime opportunity for the puncheurs to shine, but also an opportunity where differences can be made in the GC.

"I'm already looking forward to it," Van Aert told Sporza when asked about the stage. "The gravel was very loose during the reconnaissance, which looked quite challenging. I hope to be able to compete,” he added. 

Van Aert won two stages in the 2021 edition of Tirreno and finished 2nd overall behind Tadej Pogačar, before going on to win Gent-Wevelgem and Amstel Gold Race in the spring.