Interview to Wout van Aert

Your face on the podium was sad. Still after a few days you still feel angry, frustrated or sad? What are your feelings now?
Off course I was really disappointed. Because the day of the Worlds I was in really good shape and the legs were very strong. Biggest frustration was the rumours about my new bike, while there was nothing wrong with it. I just had bad luck. Without the chain problems, it would have been a more honest race, I guess. I do not say I would have won, but at least, I would have had a fair chance.

Does the World Championship in Tabor has been harder and technical than the last World Championship in Hoogerheide? How did you see the circuit?
Tabor and Hoogerheide both has a very nice and selective circuit. Both WC-worth! Only the weather conditions made is different.

This season the young have greatly increased your performance. Why? What do you think was the cause? The youngest podium in the history of World Cyclocross...
 Because it is a very strong generation with Mathieu, myself, but also with Michael Vanthourenhout and Laurens Sweeck. During the years that passed, we made each other stronger I guess. But don't forget that Sven Nys had a bad season. And don't forget that other guys like Kevin Pauwels also performed very well. He could have been on the podium of the Worlds, but that day it seems he wasn't 100 percent.

Wout van Aert with his silver medal

Did you expect the performance you've had this year?
 Absolutely not. Thats why I started the Superprestige and the World Cup in de U23-category. I expected a few good results in the pro-races (Bpost). Maybe two or three times in de top five, maybe a podiumspot. But it turned out completely different. Good for me off course, but totally unexpected to compete a whole season with the top guys.

Were you surprised to win races to elite this season?
 Same answer as above. Maybe one or two smaller race, but absolutely no races of the Bpost Trophee or World Cup

What has changed this year regarding how to train, feed, etc., to have the maximun level in the cyclocross? 
The last years I already did what I had to do about training or feed. Off course this year I put the level on training a little higher. But there is still some progression I guess. Not that much. Maybe 1 or 2 percent.

And I also had the extra tips from Niels Albert, who joined or team in september. His experience helped me a lot.

Great season with many victories

Do you feel the "Heir" of Sven Nys? 
Not really. I am Wout van Aert and I want to stay Wout van Aert. I am very clear about that. But I realize that people, cyclocrossfans, need some new idols when Sven will disappear. But I do not feel the need to copy him, no. Though I have tons of respect for Sven. No doubt about that.

Once the season ends cyclocross What you plan to do? Have a rest or practice some other discipline or sport? 
This year I'll use the time in my off-season to furnish my new house which I bought a few weeks ago. I start sporting again after one month.

In the future would you like to try the road or would like to bet on being a specialist cyclocross?
Who knows? But at this moment I feel 100 percent cyclocross-man. No doubt about that. I still have so many goals to reach in cyclocross. But I am only 20, so things can change in the future. But not in the early future!!

Do you know current news or races cyclocross in Spain? What Spanish cyclist caught your attention this season? 
To be honest, my latest memory of spanish cyclocross is the world cup in Igorre. I hope there will be more races in the future. The Spanish cyclist for me is off course Alberto Contador, for me one of the best climbers in the world.

Thanks you so much 
Done with pleasure!!