Wout van Aert admits 'stupid mistake' takes him out of much-hyped World Cup contest versus Van der Poel
Briefly

In Maasmechelen, Wout van Aert lamented a crucial error that led to his defeat by rival Mathieu van der Poel, who claimed his fourth World Cup win of the season. After a tough start and prior injury recovery, Van Aert sought to assert himself quickly but crashed on a descent, allowing Van der Poel to capitalize. In retrospect, Van Aert viewed the incident as a significant setback, despite managing a respectable race afterwards and aiming for a stronger finish to the season after injury.
Wout van Aert acknowledged a 'stupid mistake' that cost him victory against rival Mathieu van der Poel, highlighting the impact of errors in competitive racing.
Despite a broken rib, Van der Poel showcased resilience and skill, maintaining a significant lead over Van Aert by effectively seizing on his rival's mistake.
Van Aert expressed regret for the mistake that initiated a collapse in his race strategy, contrasting with the strong performance he had anticipated.
This season marked Van Aert's tough comeback from a serious knee injury, finishing with mixed results as he aimed for a strong finish.
Read at cyclingnews.com
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