Wout van Aert Sets Ambitious 2025 Goals, Plans for a Well-Deserved Break
Belgian cycling star Wout van Aert has outlined an ambitious 2025 season, setting his sights on two of the sport’s most prestigious races before taking an extended break for the rest of the year. The 30-year-old, known for his versatility and aggressive racing style, has made it clear that his main objectives will be the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix—two monumental one-day races that have long eluded him.
Aiming for Monumental Victories
Van Aert has been a dominant force in cycling for years, but despite multiple podium finishes, victories in Flanders and Roubaix have remained just out of reach. The Jumbo-Visma rider has now decided that 2025 will be the year he finally claims both classics.
“I want to win Flanders and Roubaix,” van Aert stated. “Then I’ll take the rest of the year off.”
This bold declaration highlights the importance of these races to van Aert. The Tour of Flanders, often called “De Ronde,” is one of the toughest one-day races on the calendar, featuring brutal cobbled climbs and unpredictable conditions. Paris-Roubaix, known as the “Hell of the North,” is equally demanding, with its punishing cobbled sectors testing even the strongest riders.
Van Aert has come agonizingly close in both races, finishing second at Flanders in 2020 and third at Roubaix in 2022. His fans and team have long believed he has what it takes to win, and with a focused approach in 2025, he is determined to finally conquer both.
Balancing Grand Tours and Classics
In addition to targeting the spring classics, van Aert is expected to make his Giro d’Italia debut in May. The decision to race in Italy marks a significant shift in his schedule, as he traditionally competes in the Tour de France. The Giro will give him a chance to add stage wins to his already impressive resume while helping his team in the general classification battle.
However, despite his plan to focus on Flanders and Roubaix, van Aert is also expected to race in the 2025 Tour de France. His role will likely be to support his teammate Jonas Vingegaard, who has won the past two editions of the race. While van Aert will aim for stage victories, he will also be crucial in Jumbo-Visma’s overall strategy.
Staying Injury-Free
After a challenging 2024 season that was marred by injuries, van Aert’s biggest hope for 2025 is simple: to stay on his bike. A crash during the Dwars door Vlaanderen race earlier this year forced him to miss several major events, including the Tour of Flanders. This time, he is prioritizing smart racing and staying healthy.
“My biggest wish for 2025? That I can just stay on my bike,” he said with a laugh.
A Well-Deserved Break
With such a demanding early-season schedule, van Aert’s decision to take the rest of the year off is understandable. If he achieves his goals in the spring classics and performs well in the Giro and Tour de France, a break will allow him to recover both mentally and physically.
As 2025 approaches, cycling fans will be eager to see if van Aert can finally secure his long-awaited victories. If he does, it will be a perfect way to cap off an intense season before stepping away for some well-earned rest.
