'It'd have been nicer if the finish was 150 metres earlier' – Wout van Aert rues heartbreaking near miss in Dwars door Vlaanderen

Wout van Aert suffered a heartbreaking near-miss at Dwars door Vlaanderen, with his first Classic victory in three years snatched away within sight of the finish line. The Visma-Lease a Bike rider was caught and passed by Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers) in the final 150 metres, relegating him to second place after a powerful solo effort that had looked set to secure the win.

This result adds another chapter to Van Aert's recent Classics narrative, following a string of strong performances often culminating in second or third place. His aggressive, early move today underscored his form and ambition, but also highlighted the fine margins that define these races. For Ganna, it's a significant victory, demonstrating his growing versatility beyond time trials and track, while for Visma-Lease a Bike, it's a frustrating reminder that even their formidable strength can't guarantee every win.

Ultimately, Van Aert’s rueful comment perfectly encapsulated the agony of the nearly-man. A powerful ride, certainly, but in cycling, 'almost' is often just the first letter of 'losing'.