Wout Van Aert also races with the newcomers: “Sometimes a bit annoying, but I dream of a meeting”

Did you come across the name Wout Van Aert in the results of youth races last season? That is no mistake, because Wout van Aert does indeed have a racing namesake. “I don’t think the great Wout knows that.”

Have the same name as your idol and participate in cycling races yourself.

This unique honor is reserved for 15-year-old Wout Van Aert, a first-year newcomer from Beerse in Antwerp.

“I liked that at first,” Van Aert admits.

“But when I register for a race, they often remind me that I have the same name as the great Wout van Aert. That is a bit annoying, but not really bad. In the meantime, they know that there is someone else with that name.” name is racing around.”

Wout Van Aert is not named after the great top rider Wout van Aert.

When newcomer Van Aert was born 15 years ago, the well-known Wout van Aert was still a newcomer himself.

“And we are not distantly related either,” says newcomer Van Aert. “My surname is written with a large letter “V”, not with a smaller letter “v” like the professional cyclist Wout van Aert (whose grandparents are Dutch).”

Wout Van Aert from Beerse caught the racing bug after receiving a mountain bike as a gift from his grandfather in the 6th grade.

“A racing bike soon followed and in the first year of secondary school I rode my first races.”

Van Aert, who rides for Team Kempen, has a solid sprint and likes difficult circuits. “Preferably not too steep. The Flemish Ardennes, for example, are not my thing.”

I don’t think Wout van Aert knows that there is another Wout Van Aert racing.

Wout Van Aert

Naturally, 15-year-old Wout Van Aert is a fervent supporter of professional cyclist Wout van Aert.

“Not only because I have the same name, but also because Wout van Aert always races to win. I thought it was a shame that Wout had so much bad luck last season.”

“I am not a fan of Mathieu van der Poel,” says Van Aert firmly. “I am not against Van der Poel, but I am just for Van Aert.”

The big dream of 15-year-old Wout Van Aert? “Meeting the great Wout van Aert.”

“I don’t think Wout van Aert knows that there is another Wout Van Aert racing. It would be very fantastic to meet my namesake and idol in real life.”