‘Now I can really be a dad for once’ - Van Aert looks forward to 2025 off-season

In the final race of his campaign, Van Aert turned his attention to the next generation. He worked in support of young British prodigy Matthew Brennan, who rewarded the effort with second place behind the irrepressible Arnaud De Lie.

Speaking to HLN afterwards, Van Aert admitted: "With a slightly better version of myself and that of my teammates, we could have played a little more," as Visma | Lease a Bike entered the closing stages with numerical superiority through Christophe Laporte, Brennan and Van Aert himself.

The Belgian had initially hoped to test his own form but soon recognised his limitations. "We had hoped to postpone the Brennan card a bit. But the choice was quickly made," he said. "It went better for me than during the races in Canada, but I didn't have the confidence that if I got to the front with someone, it would finish it. I have enjoyed trying to keep things together."

Reflecting more broadly, Van Aert acknowledged both the peaks and the troughs of his season. "The stage wins in Siena [Giro] and Paris [Tour] have made my year anyway. There were also lesser moments, where I missed opportunities. Now it's time for vacation. But without a bicycle. They will be happy with that at home. Now I can really be a dad for once."

Those missed opportunities are easy to identify. At Dwars door Vlaanderen, Neilson Powless produced one of the rides of the season to win alone against three Visma riders, Van Aert having banked on his sprint. A week later, at De Brabantse Pijl, he was edged out in a head-to-head by Remco Evenepoel, who was making his comeback from a lengthy injury absence.

With the road season behind him, Van Aert now steps away to recharge. The next sight of him on a start line may come only when the mud and grit of cyclocross return later in the winter.