Wout van Aert was presented the Trofeo Bonacossa, awarded for the greatest exploit, at the end of the Tour of Italy, also known as the Giro d’Italia.
© Stefano Cavasino/DPPI/Shutterstock
The Belgian cyclist played a crucial role in securing the general classification victory for his teammate Simon Yates, and a jury of international cycling journalists deemed Wout worthy of the trophy.
Besides a masterful performance in service of Yates in the second-to-last stage of the Giro, the Herentals native overtook Isaac del Toro in the final metres of the gravel stage in week 2, marking his trifecta of winning stages in the Tour de France, the Giro, and the Vuelta a España. He also proved to be the lead-out that dreams are made of, sprinting his teammate Olav Kooij to victory on two occasions.
The two-time Olympic medallist is the second Belgian ever to win the Trofeo Bonacossa, exactly ten years after Philippe Gilbert, whose incredible list of accomplishments includes the World Champion’s jersey and the Belgian championship on the road as well as in time trials.
Well done to Wout van Aert and to all other Belgians in this year’s Giro. May Wout savour this recognition and may he continue to show those incredible exploits in the future.
