Relaxed Van Aert downplays ‘G4’ talk ahead of Flanders - 'I wouldn’t put myself in that'

Set to make his seventh start in the race, Van Aert returns to a Monument that has already brought him close to victory. His best result remains second place in the 2020 Covid era edition, when Mathieu van der Poel beat him by the narrowest of margins in a two man sprint.

Speaking at the Team Visma | Lease a Bike press conference, Van Aert admitted that ‘De Ronde’ still carries a special weight for him.

“It’s a stressful period, but also one of the most beautiful weeks of the year,” he said. “For a Belgian rider, this is the biggest stage you can ride on.”

His recent races have given him confidence. In both Gent-Wevelgem and Dwars door Vlaanderen, Van Aert was on the attack, only to be caught shortly before the finish. More than the results, it was the way he raced that stood out. “The last races went very well. I’ve been able to ride aggressively, the way I want.”

Asked about his form, Van Aert avoids comparing it to previous peaks. “I’ve often started here in good shape,” he said. “I’m just happy with how the legs feel now. I don’t really compare with the past.”

There is also a sense that his approach has changed over time. “Maybe I am more relaxed than a few years ago,” the 31-year-old Belgian said. “I enjoy the process more. Some things I accept more easily or appreciate more. That comes with experience and age.”

Van Aert was also asked about the online abuse directed at Florian Vermeersch earlier this week after he chased him down in Dwars door Vlaanderen. “It’s unfortunately the world we live in,” Van Aert said. “It’s easy to post reactions and say harsh things. Behind a screen you always feel safe. That’s not how it should be.”

Much of the attention ahead of Sunday has focused on the strongest names at the start, but Van Aert does not get carried away with labels. He distances himself from the idea of a so called leading group (Pogačar, Van der Poel, Evenepoel and Van Aert).

“I wouldn’t put myself in that ‘G4’,” he said. “I think that term is a bit nonsense.”

Instead, he points clearly to the riders he sees as the benchmark. “People forget quickly,” he said. “Pogačar was miles ahead of everyone in Strade and Sanremo. Just because he didn’t race last week doesn’t change how good he is.”

Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar remain, in his eyes, the main favourites. “They have just that little bit extra compared to the rest.”

The presence of debutant Remco Evenepoel adds another dimension to the race, although Van Aert is careful not to overanalyse it beforehand. “He will almost certainly have an impact on how the race unfolds,” he said. “He’s shown many times that he can do that.”

Whether that could lead to cooperation is something he leaves open. “Of course I hope so, but it depends on how the race develops,” he said. “There are so many factors. In Flanders it’s always chaos and things happen that you don’t expect. It’s a bit pointless to talk about all the scenarios now.”

What counts most for Van Aert is being a factor in the race itself. “If I can fight for the win and afterwards feel I got everything out of myself, that’s what matters,” he said.

Van Aert will be accompanied on Sunday by a strong team featuring Matthew Brennan, Christophe Laporte, Edoardo Affini, Axel Zingle, Per Strand Hagenes and Owain Doull.