Sport

Wout van Aert is facing a call to shift his racing style as he prepares for the Spring Classics, according to former Giro d’Italia winner Tom Dumoulin. Dumoulin believes the Belgian star needs to adopt a more proactive and courageous approach, mirroring the tactics of riders like Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar, to finally break through and claim victory in the sport’s most prestigious one-day races. The comments came during the launch of Dumoulin’s new podcast with the Netherlands’ national public service broadcaster NOS.

Dumoulin, who retired from professional cycling in 2022, observed that Van Aert often finds himself reacting to moves made by his rivals, rather than dictating the pace of the race himself. This reactive style, whereas consistently placing him among the contenders, hasn’t yet translated into the coveted wins in events like the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. The shift in strategy, Dumoulin argues, could be the key to unlocking Van Aert’s potential in these crucial races.

Van der Poel and Pogačar: Setting the Standard

The success of riders like Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar has highlighted the effectiveness of aggressive, attacking racing. Van der Poel has secured three consecutive victories in Paris-Roubaix and the 2024 Tour of Flanders through long-range solo efforts, while Pogačar has established a reputation for decisive, distance-covering attacks in both Classics and stage races. As of February 2026, Pogačar boasts 10 Monument victories, and Van der Poel has eight, while Van Aert has only one – his 2020 Milan-San Remo triumph.

“When I look at his racing style as an analyst, I notice that he’s often reacting,” Dumoulin explained. “He responds to what’s happening in the race. But Van der Poel makes the race – he attacks, he drops a bomb 100 kilometres from the finish.” This proactive approach, Dumoulin believes, is becoming increasingly crucial for success in modern cycling.

Pressure and Opportunity in the Classics

Dumoulin specifically pointed to Paris-Roubaix as a race where Van Aert has a significant opportunity, given his skillset. However, he cautioned that waiting for Van der Poel or Pogačar to initiate a move could result in another near miss. “In Paris-Roubaix – the Monument that suits him best – he definitely has a real chance. I sense Tour of Flanders will be very hard against a strong Van der Poel and Pogačar,” Dumoulin argued. “But in Roubaix, his opportunities are there. The problem is, if he waits for Mathieu or Pogačar to make the move, it could end up being another year of ‘so close, yet so far’.”

The former Giro d’Italia champion similarly suggested that the immense pressure and expectation placed upon Van Aert in Belgium might be contributing to his more cautious racing style. “He’s never bad, but maybe that consistency pushes him into a more reactive style of racing,” Dumoulin stated.

A Glimpse of Aggression: The 2023 Tour de France

Despite his typically reactive approach, Dumoulin highlighted a moment from the 2023 Tour de France as evidence of Van Aert’s potential for aggressive racing. During the final stage on the Champs-Élysées, featuring a challenging cobbled climb up Montmartre, Van Aert launched a surprise attack, dropping Pogačar and securing a solo victory.

“When nobody expected it on Montmartre, he just exploded and rode away,” Dumoulin recalled. “In that moment, it was truly all or nothing; either I drop Pogačar now, or I end up with nothing.” Dumoulin believes that if Van Aert can replicate that same mindset – a willingness to take risks and seize opportunities – in races like Paris-Roubaix, he has a strong chance of achieving success.

As the Spring Classics season approaches, the cycling world will be watching to see if Wout van Aert will heed Dumoulin’s advice and embrace a more aggressive racing style. The coming weeks will reveal whether he can unlock a new level of performance and finally add a Monument title to his impressive palmarès.

What do you think? Can Wout van Aert change his racing style to compete with Van der Poel and Pogačar? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

WASHINGTON D.C. – President Trump used his State of the Union address Tuesday night to celebrate the U.S. Men’s Olympic hockey team, fresh off their gold medal victory in Milan. The team received a prolonged standing ovation from members of Congress as they were introduced in the House Chamber, proudly displaying their medals to a cheering crowd.

The recognition comes after a thrilling overtime win against rival Canada on Sunday, marking the first U.S. Gold medal in men’s ice hockey since the historic “Miracle on Ice” in 1980. The President’s acknowledgement of the team’s achievement underscores a theme of national pride and success that was central to his address. The celebration of the men’s team also follows a trip to the Games in Milan by FBI Director Kash Patel, and has been accompanied by discussion regarding the President’s comments about the U.S. Women’s team.

A Golden Victory and Presidential Recognition

The U.S. Men’s hockey team’s journey to gold was punctuated by a dominant performance throughout the tournament, culminating in a nail-biting final against Canada. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was instrumental in securing the victory, making 41 saves in the gold medal game. President Trump specifically lauded Hellebuyck’s performance and announced plans to award him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. The President initially invited the team to the address via a phone call immediately following their win, a video of which was shared on social media. During that call, he joked about the potential need to also invite the women’s team, stating, “I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team. You do know that,” and adding he “probably be impeached” if he didn’t extend an invitation to them as well.

The team’s arrival at the Capitol was met with enthusiastic support, as they entered the balcony of the House of Representatives to chants of “USA” and an approximately two-minute standing ovation. President Trump stated, “Our country is winning again,” and used the team’s success as a demonstration of that point.

Controversy Surrounds Celebrations and Comments

While the celebration of the men’s team was largely positive, it wasn’t without its share of controversy. The presence of FBI Director Kash Patel at the Games in Milan and his celebrations with the team have drawn scrutiny. President Trump’s comments regarding the U.S. Women’s team have sparked backlash, though the specifics of those comments weren’t detailed in reports. The President’s initial joke about potential impeachment if the women’s team wasn’t invited highlights the sensitivity surrounding the issue.

The U.S. Men’s Olympic ice hockey team’s gold medal win represents a significant moment for American hockey, ending a 44-year drought since the iconic 1980 “Miracle on Ice” victory. The team was transported to Washington on a military plane at the President’s direction, underscoring the importance he placed on recognizing their achievement.

What’s Next for the Team and U.S. Hockey

The recognition at the State of the Union marks a high point for the U.S. Men’s hockey team, but their careers continue. Many players will return to their professional clubs in leagues like the NHL and KHL. The success of this team is expected to inspire a new generation of hockey players in the United States and potentially boost interest in the sport nationwide. The awarding of the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Connor Hellebuyck will be a formal ceremony to watch for in the coming weeks.

What are your thoughts on the team’s victory and the recognition they received? Share your comments below and join the conversation.