Wout van Aert, the resilient leader of Visma-Lease a Bike, is counting down the days to the end of a grueling 2025 cycling season. With just three races left—Friday’s Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec, Sunday’s Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, and the Super 8 Classic on home soil next Saturday—the Belgian superstar is ready to close a challenging chapter and recharge for 2026.
Van Aert’s 2025 campaign has been a rollercoaster, marked by 65 race days and a series of highs and lows. The season began with a tough recovery from a severe crash at the 2024 Vuelta a España, which sidelined him during the winter. Despite a determined return, his Classics campaign fell short of expectations, overshadowed by rivals Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar. Illness further disrupted his preparations for the Giro d’Italia, but Van Aert bounced back, clinching a memorable victory on the gravel stage to Siena and playing a pivotal role in securing overall victory for teammate Simon Yates.
The Tour de France proved equally challenging, yet Van Aert ended on a high note, launching a daring attack on the streets of Montmartre to claim the final stage in Paris. His late-season schedule included strong showings at the Hamburg ADAC Cyclassics and the Deutschland Tour, and now, in Canada, he’s getting a firsthand look at the roads that will host the 2026 UCI Road World Championships.
Reflecting on his season, Van Aert remains optimistic. “I know I have to keep believing in myself,” he told Sporza and other media outlets in Canada. However, the wear and tear of the year has him eagerly anticipating a break. “The bike will be out of service for about three to four weeks,” he said, confirming his October holiday plans. While he’s ruled out competing in this year’s Gravel World Championships in the Netherlands, Van Aert assured fans he’ll return to cyclocross this winter, with preparations resuming in November.
As he tackles his final races of 2025, Van Aert is focused on finishing strong before taking time to “put the pieces together” for what promises to be a revitalized 2026 season.
