Wout van Aert's thoughtful gift to 250 Visma employees after Paris-Roubaix victory

Wout van Aert gifted 250 members of Visma | Lease a Bike authentic cobblestone gifts from Northern France following his victory at Paris-Roubaix this season. 

Speaking to Wieler Revue, Visma's Head of Performance Mathieu Heijboer revealed the scale of Van Aert’s gesture and how much it meant to those working behind the scenes. 

“Wout gave everyone a miniature cobblestone, not just to those who were present at Paris-Roubaix, but to all 250 employees of our team,” Heijboer told Wieler Revue. 

“They aren’t just any cobblestones; they are authentic ones from Northern France. When the order arrived, there were three full pallets waiting at our service course in Den Bosch."

The significance of Van Aert’s victory to everyone associated with the Dutch side was particularly noticeable when the team gathered in Sierra Nevada for their Tour de France preparations.

"You can’t imagine it beforehand. We were there with a group of soigneurs, mechanics, and chefs, and everyone wanted a photo with Wout, individually. They were so happy with that gift from him. 

“That’s just who Wout is; he keeps an eye on everyone on the team. In my view, a gesture like that is worth more than a bonus or throwing a party. Those miniature cobblestones serve as an eternal memento of a truly extraordinary day."

Heijboer compared the atmosphere following the race to Jonas Vingegaard’s first Tour victory in 2022.

Van Aert’s triumph over Tadej Pogačar in the Roubaix Vélodrome marked the Belgian’s first cobbled Monument and second Monument overall following his Milan-Sanremo win in 2020.

In an interview with Fiets Magazine earlier this month, he reflected on the significance of the win, explaining that joy rather than relief was his overriding emotion.

“If it had happened one or two years earlier, relief might have predominated more,” Van Aert told Fiets Magazine. 

“Back then, I felt more strongly that I needed such a victory to make my career a success. In the meantime, I have become more realistic about that. I realise that I have already achieved many wonderful things.”