Wout van Aert reveals that he had a fall while training, which explains his modest performance in the first stage of the Dauphiné

Wout van Aert wanted to downplay any alarm after his discreet return to competition at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes 2026. The Belgian from Visma, who was putting on a race number for the first time on the road since his victory at the Paris-Roubaix in April, finished the first stage more than 24 minutes behind the winner Alex Baudin, a result influenced by both the characteristics of the course and a recent accident during training.

Van Aert stays calm after a challenging first stage in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

The Belgian rider was one of the main focuses of attention on the opening day of the French round, but he never entered the fight for the front positions. In statements to Sporza, he explained that the feelings were not the best from the start.

“I knew that, in any case, the stage was too tough for me, but I also didn’t feel at my best. So I decided not to push and finish in a rather conservative way,” Van Aert pointed out.

Far from being worried, the Paris-Roubaix winner insisted that the difference at the finish was largely a consequence of a personal decision to avoid excessive efforts in a race he is using as preparation for the major goals of the summer.

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“I wasn’t terribly bad. It was my own choice not to push myself too much. I hope to feel better today and, if not, I’ll just have to stay calm,” he added.

Part of those feelings has an explanation. Van Aert revealed that his preparation for the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes was marked by a recent fall while training with his time trial bike, which is why he has been seen with bandages on his arm and right leg these days.

“It wasn’t a pleasant fall. I was on the time trial bike and lost control of the handlebars when I hit a big bump,” he explained.

The Belgian acknowledged that the impact was significant, although he ruled out any serious problems.

“It wasn’t a soft landing, but I’m fine and in condition to race this event. If it weren’t so, I wouldn’t have started,” he said.

After finishing in 127th place in the first stage, Van Aert also recalled that the profile of the day clearly favored other types of riders.

“I understand that there is a magnifying glass on me, but you also understand cycling. If you look at who was ahead yesterday, they weren’t exactly riders with my physical build,” he commented to Sporza.

Therefore, the Visma Lease a Bike rider does not consider his performance to be a cause for concern and maintains the main objective of this race: to build the necessary form for the Tour de France.

The Tour de France remains the goal

Beyond the immediate result, Van Aert made it clear that his priority remains to progress during this week of competition before facing a very demanding schedule that will include the Tour de France, the Vuelta a España, and subsequently the World Championships.

“It’s always an important week. You can progress a lot in a race like this when you arrive with a good base. That’s why we are here, to take that step forward,” he said.

The Belgian's message is clear: neither the fall in training nor the more than 24 minutes lost in the first stage alter, for now, the roadmap of one of the most complete riders in the peloton. While some are already scrutinizing his form, Van Aert prefers to stay calm and focus on arriving at the Tour de France in the best possible condition.