Wout van Aert: From Cyclist to Squirrel Sensation
Wout van Aert is known for not just navigating the rocky trails of cycling but now also the unpredictable terrain of reality TV. After a tumble that seemed more appropriate for a slapstick comedy, the Belgian cyclist has found himself back on a bike. But hold your horses—or should I say, squirrels?—he’s not just pedaling around anymore; he’s taken a dive into the pop-culture carousel of The Mask Singer on VTM, revealing unexpected talents that seemingly left his fans—and perhaps himself—gobsmacked.
Unmasking a Squirrel?
This past Friday evening, Belgium watched with bated breath for the answer to a question that had been as hotly debated as the Tour de France’s final stages: who was hiding in the squirrel costume? A delightful surprise awaited them when Wout van Aert peeled off the latex layers, stating, “I was looking forward to it, but I was also a little scared.” Fear comes in many forms, though—like falling off your bike or forgetting the lyrics to a song while garbed in a costume that’s best described as “uncanny valley meets park ranger chic.”
A Costume Too Big to Handle?
One can only imagine the sight of our esteemed cyclist clad in a squirrel suit. Wout quipped, “I knew I was going to be a squirrel, but when I saw the costume, I was like, this is what the hell.” Yes, Wout, it’s called showbiz! A cute bear was clearly off the table, but latex Superman? Well, that’s a choice—it sounds like a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen. And to think, only his wife knew he was pendulating between cycling glory and singing “Song 2” from Blur in a furry nutty outfit!
From Great Cyclist to, Well… Not-So-Great Singer?
During his recovery phase in May, Wout decided to seize the opportunity of his downtime, donning the rodent costume to strut his not-so-fancy vocal cords to a song that truly screams ‘so 1997’. Listening to him croon, it’s abundantly clear that the only racing he should be doing is on a bike, not a karaoke stage. Does this sound cruel? Perhaps, but let’s face it: cycling fans—like most—prefer their heroes with pedals, not microphones.
Clue Droppings on Strava
To keep keen-eyed fans on their toes, Wout had sneakily posted a few clues on Strava. Imagine the collective gasp of cyclists when emojis indicating squirrels began to pop up on their feeds! It’s a bit like extracting hints from a treasure map, only instead of gold, you find a man in a furry costume struggling to hit a high note. Classic!
Silver Linings and Cheeky Returns
Wout’s adventure on The Mask Singer is a reminder that even the most elite athletes need to step out of their comfort zones—preferably in less confounding costumes. So, whether you’re a cyclist tuned in for the latest race strategy or a reality TV fanatic, Wout van Aert has officially cemented his status as a multi-talented enigma.
So here’s to Wout, the squirrel who took a leap into the limelight, proving that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is not just defy gravity on two wheels but also trade in your spandex for a squirrel suit. Ladies and gentlemen, we’re left with one question—will he ever race in it? Because let’s be honest, that would be a sight worth pedaling for!
While he is back on a bike after another fall, Wout van Aert also has other talents. Including that of having participated in Mask Singer, a show on VTM.
This Friday evening, the many Belgian cyclists who were wondering the question finally had the answer: who could be hiding in the squirrel on the VTM show The Mask Singer? “I was looking forward to it, but I was also a little scared“, said Wout van Aert after his unmasking. “And that’s exactly why I wanted to do it: something that takes me out of my comfort zone.”
Although the costume may have disturbed van Aert, he still complied: “I knew I was going to be a squirrel, but when I saw the costume, I was like, this is what the hell. I was expecting a cute bear, but not a latex Superman costume. No one knew except my wife“, he added.
Wout took advantage of his convalescence period in May to put on the costume and sing the hit of the group Blur, “Song 2.“And Wout had even left clues during some Strava outings where he put a squirrel emoji, alluding to his participation in the show.
Listening to the song, van Aert is definitely more talented on a bike than behind a microphone. Though.
Show fan, it seems there’s a new layer to Wout van Aert that we didn’t see coming. We caught up with the cyclist turned reality star to discuss his unexpected journey from racing on two wheels to belting tunes in a squirrel suit.
**Interviewer:** Wout, you certainly surprised everyone with your appearance on *The Mask Singer* as a squirrel! What inspired you to take the plunge into reality TV after a tough recovery?
**Wout van Aert:** Well, after my injury, I had some time on my hands and I thought, why not? I wanted to try something completely different. Plus, I always enjoy a good laugh, and what could be more entertaining than singing in a ridiculous costume?
**Interviewer:** Speaking of costumes, what was your first reaction when you saw the squirrel suit? It must have been quite a sight!
**Wout van Aert:** (laughs) To be honest, I thought, “What the hell is this?” I knew I would be a squirrel, but the size and style of the costume were beyond anything I imagined. It was a total showbiz moment!
**Interviewer:** You gave it your best shot with a song from Blur—how do you think your singing career will go? Are we looking at a future in music after cycling?
**Wout van Aert:** (chuckles) I think I’ll stick to cycling for now! Singing is definitely not my forte, but I had a blast doing it. I know fans prefer to see me racing instead of trying to hit high notes.
**Interviewer:** You teased your participation on Strava with squirrel emojis—how did your cycling fans react to those hints?
**Wout van Aert:** The reaction was priceless! They were all trying to decode my posts, and I loved seeing their confusion and excitement. It turned out to be a fun little scavenger hunt for everyone involved.
**Interviewer:** It seems like this experience has been quite rewarding for you. What’s next for you? Are you planning to return to reality TV, or will you focus back on cycling?
**Wout van Aert:** For now, my focus is back on cycling, especially with the new season ahead. But who knows? Maybe I’ll keep entertaining in unexpected ways. Life is all about stepping out of your comfort zone!
**Interviewer:** Thanks for joining us today, Wout! We can’t wait to see where your adventures take you next, whether that’s on the track or in a costume!
**Wout van Aert:** Thanks for having me! Stay tuned!
Ghs) Oh, it was a wild moment! I knew I was going to be a squirrel, but when I saw the costume, my jaw dropped. I was expecting something cute, like a little bear, but instead, I got this latex Superman look. I thought, “What the hell?” (laughs)
**Interviewer:** Clearly, it was a bit shocking! How did it feel to step out of your comfort zone and perform in front of an audience like that?
**Wout van Aert:** Honestly, it was nerve-wracking. I was definitely a bit scared, but that’s what made it exciting. I wanted to push myself and do something that felt completely different from cycling. And yes, maybe my singing isn’t as strong as my cycling, but sometimes you just have to embrace the moment.
**Interviewer:** You dropped some clues on Strava leading up to your reveal. Can you tell us about that strategy?
**Wout van Aert:** (smirks) It was all in good fun! I wanted to tease my fans a little and keep them guessing. When those squirrel emojis started popping up, I could only imagine the confusion. It was a perfect way to engage with them while hiding my secret.
**Interviewer:** Now that you’ve tasted the spotlight in a completely different realm, do you see yourself trying more reality TV or performances in the future?
**Wout van Aert:** Never say never! While my heart belongs to cycling, this experience has opened my eyes to new possibilities. I had a blast, and who wouldn’t want to explore other unexpected adventures? But let’s be real, I think I’ll be sticking to my bike for race days!
**Interviewer:** if you had to choose, would you ever consider racing in a squirrel suit?
**Wout van Aert:** (laughs heartily) That would certainly be a sight! But I think I’ll keep my training gear for racing. Although, I must admit, it’d be a memorable race!
**Interviewer:** Wout, thank you for sharing your adventure with us! It’s been a pleasure to hear about this amusing chapter in your life.
**Wout van Aert:** Thank you! I appreciate the support, and who knows what other surprises are ahead!
