Wout van Aert reveals a backstory on his most difficult moment
The year 2025 has been a year of transition for Wout van Aert, although after his two serious injuries in 2024 he still managed to achieve two major successes, one in the Siena stage at the Giro d’Italia and one on the Champs Elysees in the final stage of the Tour de France. Interviewed by The Athletic, however, the Belgian rider returned to his most difficult moment, revealing an important backstory.
“What is ending has been one of the most complex years of my career, mentally – explained Van Aert -I was coming from two serious injuries suffered in 2024, the one at Dwars door Vlanderen and the one at the Vuelta, and I have to admit that after the knee knockout in Spain I wondered if it was worth continuing to race”.
“Underneath my race uniform are my scars– added the Belgian champion, who has been able to build a career of the highest level both on the road and in cyclocross -Those marks remind me of everything I had to go through. 2025, then, had not started in the best way but everything changed with the success in Siena, which was even better precisely because of everything I had been through”.
Now, having definitely regained confidence, there’s to think about 2026: “I want to win the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix– said Van Aert, without hiding -. I have tried every way so far but have not succeeded. They would be very important victories for my career, but I know very well that in those races the pressure is very high. When I was younger I was more nervous, but now I have learned to handle those emotions”.
