'Racing in Hamburg would be much more dangerous' - Van Aert plays down gravel risk six days before Vuelta

The Belgian starts in Grobbendonk, only a short distance from his home in Herentals, with large crowds expected along the course. While another national title would add to an already considerable collection, Van Aert is approaching the race with a different priority.

“I’ve been looking forward to this day for a while,” Van Aert told Sporza before the start. “I expect a lot of supporters because you don’t often get to race this close to home.”

That local atmosphere is part of the attraction. Van Aert already owns Belgian titles across cyclocross, road racing and the individual time trial. Victory on gravel would take his career total to ten national championship jerseys across the different disciplines.

He is not putting too much weight on the result, however. 

“The most important thing today is to enjoy myself,” Van Aert said. “This race is not going to change much about my career.”

Still, he knows that could change once the racing gets serious. “At some point the competitive instinct will take over and you want to try to win,” he added.

Whatever happens in Grobbendonk, the Vuelta remains the main objective.

The Spanish Grand Tour begins on August 22 in Monaco, leaving Van Aert only six days between the Belgian gravel race and the opening stage.

Racing on gravel just six days before the Vuelta inevitably comes with risks, but Van Aert was quick to play down any concerns. He even suggested that lining up in Hamburg would have been the more dangerous option.

“Racing in Hamburg [ADAC Cyclassics] today would be much more dangerous,” he said.

For Van Aert, risk is an unavoidable part of life as a professional cyclist rather than something unique to gravel.

“There are always dangers, even when you go training on public roads,” he added. “I’m not afraid, but I’m not going to take unnecessary risks either.”

The 150 kilometre race also serves as Van Aert’s final hard test before returning to the Vuelta, two years after his debut in 2024.

His build up has not been entirely straightforward. An infected elbow injury forced him to miss the Tour de France and readjust his summer programme, leaving him to rebuild his condition later than originally planned.

Van Aert says that process has gone well.

“Missing the Tour was obviously a setback,” he said. “I needed some time to get back to a good level, but the Tour of Denmark went better than expected. Everything since then has gone well too.”

Denmark offered considerable reassurance. Van Aert won three stages and the overall classification, a timely indication that his form was coming together ahead of the Vuelta.

After Sunday’s Belgian Gravel Championships, Van Aert will turn his attention to Spain, where he has unfinished business from 2024 after winning three stages and leading both the points and mountains classifications before a crash on stage 16 ended his race.

Two years later, the Vuelta offers an opportunity from the very first day. The race opens with a nine kilometre individual time trial in Monaco, where Van Aert could challenge for both the stage win and the first red jersey if he can rediscover his best form against the clock.

Further opportunities are expected during the opening week, with several stages well suited to his versatility.