When Ute Van Aert returned to Belgium on Tuesday evening to ride the Roselare Criterium, 35,000 Flanders cycling fans cheered his name in the short time trial and circuit race against Tom Pidcock, Yves Lampert, and others. and received a heroic welcome.

Wout Van Aert won three stages in the Tour de France, setting a new record in the green jersey points standings and playing a major role in Jonas Vingegaard's overall victory. He was voted the most combative rider of the Tour.

His success was even more highly regarded by Flanders fans, who turned him from a young cyclo-cross rider into a contender for the classics and now know him as one of the best riders in the world.

Van Aert spent most of Tuesday on the service course in Jambovisma, Holland, celebrating with team sponsors and staff. He traveled by helicopter and attended the Roselare Criterium in the evening to feel the impact of his success in the Tour de France.

"This is very special. An entrance like this: I'm not used to this kind of entrance," Van Aert told VTM Nieuws.

"I could see how crazy the tool was. As long as you are part of the circus, you don't really notice it, but when you go back to Belgium, it is still very special."

"It was a great experience.

Lampert defeated Van Aert to win the criterium. The Jumbo Visma rider admitted that he was tired after three weeks of intense racing. Lampère, a rider for Jumbo Visma, admitted that he was tired after three weeks of intense racing.

He will run his home criterium in Herentals on Thursday before heading to Spain for the Donostia San Sebastian Classicoa on Saturday. On Monday he will run the Draai Juan de Cay Criterium in Rosendahl and then rest.

In August, he will train at high altitude and ride the Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec and Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal in Canada in early September as a stepping stone to the World Championships in Australia.

"Wout wanted to race in San Sebastian," his entourage told VTM Nieuws.

"He is interested to see how well he can ride in San Sebastian and he wants to take advantage of his great form in the Tour. He won't be training this week, but he will be on the bike every day to keep his leg speed up in the criterium."