'The best Wout van Aert still to come' - Richard Plugge backs Visma star to reach another level

Team Visma | Lease a Bike team manager Richard Plugge has expressed full confidence that Wout van Aert will reach new heights despite recent challenges, maintaining the the Belgian’s recent Giro d’Italia performance signals a return to top form. 

Van Aert played a crucial role in teammate Simon Yates' overall victory, in particular on stage 20, and the Belgian star landed an impressive stage win in the mini Strade Bianche on stage 9. Yet team manager Plugge suggests that the best of Van Aert  is yet to come.

“I am certain that the best Wout is still out there and will come again,” Plugge told Het Laatste Nieuws.

Van Aert’s 2024 season was marked by setbacks, and despite a very consistent Classics campaign, the Belgian still faced plenty of criticism. However, his performance at the Giro demonstrated glimpses of the extraordinary talent that previously dominated stages at the Tour de France in 2021 and 2022. Plugge points to the long period in which Van Aert has been considered one of the best riders in the world, and some of the difficulties of being as good as he has for so long.

“From a performance standpoint, he is still improving,” Plugge said. “However, the downside of staying at the top for a long time is encountering many challengers. The competition six years ago is not the same as today, especially with riders like Isaac del Toro emerging.”

Plugge also highlighted Van Aert’s consistency even when victories over the Classics campaign proved elusive. “If you look at Wout’s performances in the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, and Amstel Gold Race, winning seemed impossible, yet finishing three times in fourth place is neither a defeat nor being out of the running.”

The Visma | Lease a Bike manager revealed he has had meaningful conversations with Van Aert about his motivation to continue racing at the highest level, especially after making significant personal sacrifices.

"I've had some good conversations with Wout about why he still wants to race," Plugge shared. "His drive has never been about money; it's about fun and motivation. Do you still have the drive to fight back, or is it becoming too hard?"

Drawing a compelling comparison, Plugge added: "It's like a boxer in the ring. You can take many punches, but eventually, one hit too many will discourage you. Is it still worth it to embark on that long physical journey if you only find immense pleasure in a few races? But if you enjoy what you do and are physically capable, why would you stop?"

Van Aert will next compete at the Belgian national road championships on June 29 before taking to the start line in Lille for the Tour de France, which begins on July 5. It is expected that Van Aert will be crucial to Visma | Lease a Bike's attempt to regain the yellow jersey with Jonas Vingegaard off the shoulders of current world champion Tadej Pogačar. Van Aert provided a crucial assist at the Giro for Simon Yates, and in 2022 and 2023 at the Tour for Vingegaard. He will look to do the same again in July.