This quote came from a Strava post on July 2, after VanโฏAert ended a two-day break due to illness. He rode 148โฏkm with strong pace and captioned:
โAim higher than the target because the arrow drops during flight.โ
๐ What it means:
- Itโs a metaphor for sports and setbacks: plan big because real-life challenges (fatigue, illness, crashes) will always knock you down a bit.
- He aimed high โ targeting a strong Tour de France start โ understanding heโd likely fall short, but ensuring he still delivered a strong performance.
- ๐ช Recurrent comeโbacks fuel bold ambition

- He posted โComeback number lost countโ after resuming training post-flu โ showing he’s used to bouncing back.
- For Spring Classics, VanโฏAert also shared that a break from competition helped reset his hunger. He said it was โgood to be away for a few monthsโฆ Iโm hungry againโ
๐ง Mental strength amid adversity
- In ParisโRoubaix, a fall shook him โ he admitted being more affected mentally than expected โ yet stayed determined for upcoming races
- His coach noted occasional fear post-crash in early classics, but VanโฏAert worked through it and โgrown mentally,โ regaining confidence for the season
๐ฏ Daring to dream bigger
- From early in the season, he’s expressed readiness:
โI have to dare to aim highโฆ with the track record โฆ I have to dare to aim high. And that means going for the two Monumentsโ
- Despite crashes in 2024, he begins 2025 hoping simply to stay on his bike โ eager to race instead of watching from the sidelines .
๐งฉ Final Take
Wout vanโฏAert’s mindset is rooted in aiming high to outpace inevitable setbacksโwhether illness, injury, or fatigue. His Strava metaphor captures a blend of ambition, realism, and resilience. His psychological recovery from crashes, paired with a bold approach to Classics and Tour stages, cements him as one of the toughest and most mentally agile riders in modern cycling.
Want to dive into how that mentality plays out in a specific race (Roubaix, Tour stages, Classics)?