Wout van Aert asks fans to leave him alone

Belgian cyclist Wout van Aert is experiencing some of the best moments of his sporting career, which continues to increase his popularity among fans and is causing some limits to be crossed.

Wout van Aert asks for privacy and to be left alone in his home

Belgian cycling fans are among the most passionate in cycling, and in recent months they have been on a roll thanks to their two star riders: Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert. But it is often said that fame comes at a price, and in this case Van Aert is paying for it in the form of a lack of privacy.

Until this year Van Aert was best known for his cyclocross career, but his great performance at the Tour de France 2022, where he took the green jersey, has multiplied his popularity even outside Belgium.

It was just before his victory in Mol, when Van Aert made a statement at a press conference and to the newspaper Sporza where he explained what was happening and asked for privacy and tranquility to the fans.

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"It happens every week that people just ring the doorbell. I prefer to be left alone at home. I notice that the attention on me is increasing. I always think it couldn’t get any worse, but then it turns out that it can."

The Jumbo Visma rider explained that fans camp out in front of his house in the hope of seeing him at some point, and even ring his doorbell.

"People just ring at my door. There is no need for that. The chance that I will open the door is minimal. It happens regularly that people are at my door, even on a weekly basis. They call with a special request: for a sweater signing or they organise something special."

"Everyone has their unique story and I understand that, but it is not always easy. I prefer to be left alone when I am at home."

"It still surprises me sometimes. I used to be known in cyclocross, but now it goes much wider outside Belgium. Abroad I had the feeling that I was ‘at ease’ for a long time, but suddenly I am also recognised there."

After his victories at the CX World Cup in Dublin and the CX in Mol, Van Aert will race again against Van der Poel and Pidcock today at the Gavere World Cup.