Visma admit past Wout van Aert mistakes after Vuelta win: ‘We wanted it too much’

For Visma, the stage developed almost exactly as they could have hoped. They were able to keep several options alive deep into the race without having to commit everything to Van Aert.

“If you could write the ideal scenario in advance, it would look very similar to this,” Wynants told Sporza after the finish.

Van Aert, Matthew Brennan and Bruno Armirail had all made the large 43 rider breakaway earlier in the day, but the group did not stay together as the stage wore on.

As the break began to split, Brennan made the front selection while Van Aert found himself further back. At one point, the gap between the two groups grew to almost two minutes, making it look as though Van Aert might no longer be in contention for the stage win.

Visma did not panic.

“It would also have been a good situation if Matthew had stayed out front,” Wynants said.

Brennan was still a genuine option, although there were doubts over whether he would be able to finish the job himself.

“We wanted to create a numerical advantage and we were not sure it would work with Matthew because he had indicated that he was not feeling 100 percent,” Wynants explained. “Then Wout was able to bridge across with the stronger climbers.”

That move brought Van Aert back into the heart of the fight for the stage.

By the final 10 kilometres, Van Aert and Brennan were both part of a reduced group of nine at the front, giving Visma several ways to play the finale.

Brennan responded to attacks as the group began to break apart, while Van Aert was able to wait.

His moment came with 3.8 kilometres remaining. Van Aert accelerated and only Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal Quick-Step) was able to follow. The pair quickly opened a gap on the rest and stayed clear into the final kilometre.

Paret-Peintre launched his sprint around 300 metres from the line, but Van Aert had enough left to come past the Frenchman and take the victory.

For Wynants, Visma’s strength in numbers had been crucial.

“We had the advantage in numbers almost all the time,” he said. “That was really nice to see.”

That patience was deliberate.

Wynants admitted afterwards that Visma have not always got that balance right when racing for Van Aert.

“We have made the mistake before of wanting it too badly for Wout and immediately taking control of the race,” he said. “Sometimes we learn from our mistakes too.”

This time, Visma kept their options open. Brennan remained a threat deep into the finale, which allowed Van Aert to wait for the right moment rather than carry the race himself.

When that moment came, he finished it off.

It was Visma’s fourth stage victory of the Vuelta and Van Aert’s first.

The victory also offered another indication that Van Aert is moving towards his best form ahead of the World Championships in Canada later this month.

After missing the Tour de France, the Belgian arrived at the Vuelta with both freshness and motivation. According to Wynants, that combination is now beginning to show.

“He has found a very high level,” Wynants said. “He was extremely motivated after missing the Tour. When Wout is fit and fully focused on his preparation, this is what you can get.”

Wynants believes that form should put Van Aert among the leading contenders for the world title, although Visma still have more than a week of racing to negotiate in Spain before attention can fully turn towards Canada.

The opening 13 stages have already produced four victories for the team, while the battle for the green jersey has also developed strongly in Visma’s favour.

An important part of that success has been the relationship between Van Aert and Brennan.

Visma entered the race hoping the pair could complement one another, but Wynants believes their cooperation has developed beyond what the team could simply plan beforehand.

“There is a real synergy between them,” he said. “They understand each other and they are prepared to give each other opportunities. When that happens, you can create something special.”

For Visma, that partnership could become significant well beyond this Vuelta.

Brennan’s development gives the team another option in races traditionally suited to Van Aert, while the Belgian no longer has to carry the full tactical burden himself.

On stage 13, that balance produced exactly the outcome Visma had been looking for.