road.cc<\/a>), van Aert could barely process what had happened. It was van Aert\u2019s first go at Roubiax, riding back then for V\u00e9randas Willems-Crelan. He would go on to finish 13th.<\/p>\n\u201cMy thoughts go out to my team mate, Michael Goolaerts, who lost his life yesterday,\u201d he wrote. \u201cNo report of my race\u2026 because it\u2019s of no importance.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was supposed to be a different kind of spring. A big ride in Roubaix, then a holiday. Instead, \u201call my results this spring disappeared with the death of our team mate\u2026 So I end my road campaign with a very bitter taste in my mouth.\u201d<\/p>\n
The two had known each other for years, growing up in the same region, racing first as rivals, then as teammates. Van Aert remembered him simply: \u201csomeone who smiled\u2026 always extremely motivated.\u201d<\/p>\n
Paris-Roubaix had been Goolaerts\u2019 dream, too.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also spoke to each other during the race\u2026 He was going to help me for as long as he could. That didn\u2019t happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
When the news finally came later that evening, the team gathered together, holding onto hope that never turned. \u201cIn the late evening, Michael lost his battle,\u201d van Aert wrote. \u201c\u2018The Hell of the North leads to heaven\u2019\u2026 I don\u2019t know what to make of that today.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Sunday, he did.<\/p>\n
After years of setbacks\u2014times when, by his own admission, he \u201cdid stop believing\u201d\u2014van Aert found his moment.<\/p>\n
And when he pointed to the sky, it was more than just a celebration. It was remembering his friend, and finally being able to give him the tribute van Aert had been planning for almost a decade.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n<\/div>\n