Wout van Aert

Wout van Aert is a Belgian professional cyclist known for his extraordinary versatility across disciplines. A three-time world champion in cyclocross turned road racing superstar, Van Aert has earned a reputation as an “all-terrain” rider capable of winning on any surface or stage. Born on 15 September 1994 in Herentals, Belgium, he first rose to fame dominating the mud and sand of cyclocross before translating that success to the biggest road races. Fans admire Van Aert’s relentless work ethic and explosive power - from powering up Mont Ventoux alone to outsprinting pure sprinters on the Champs-Élysées. Riding for Team Visma | Lease a Bike (formerly Jumbo–Visma) on a long-term “lifetime” contract, the man often dubbed the peloton’s most complete rider continues to chase greatness on all fronts.

Van Aert grew up in Flanders,though he came from a family with no racing background. As a youngster he gravitated to cyclocross – winter off-road racing that’s a national passion in Belgium. He showed prodigious talent in the under-23 ranks, capturing the U23 world title in 2014 on a frozen circuit in Hoogerheide. Upon turning elite, Van Aert quickly became a cyclocross phenomenon: he won three consecutive UCI Cyclocross World Championships (2016, 2017, 2018)by age 23, often in thrilling duels against his emerging rival Mathieu van der Poel. Van Aert’s rivalry with van der Poel became the stuff of legend in the cyclocross scene - two young superstars trading wins every weekend, pushing each other to new heights. By dominating the global cyclocross circuit and World Cup series, the ambitious Van Aert proved he had the engine and mental toughness to take on bigger challenges.

Outside the winter mud, Van Aert began testing himself in road cycling during the summers. In 2018, he gave a glimpse of his road potential with a stunning third-place finish at the prestigious Strade Bianche one-day race, despite crashing on the final climb. That ride on the white gravel roads of Tuscany, against top WorldTour pros, signaled that Van Aert’s abilities were not confined to cyclocross. He also earned a bronze medal at the 2018 European Road Championships, underscoring his fast-finishing prowess. However, late in 2018 Van Aert became embroiled in a contract dispute with his cyclocross team (which was set to merge with another squad), prompting him to terminate his contract early He had already signed with Team LottoNL-Jumbo (later Team Jumbo-Visma) for 2020, and after legal wrangling he was able to join the Dutch WorldTour team ahead of the 2019 season. This leap to the top tier set the stage for Van Aert’s breakthrough beyond the confines of cyclocross.

After joining Team Jumbo–Visma he quickly made his mark with stage wins at the Critérium du Dauphiné and a sprint victory in his Tour de France debut. That same Tour also brought a major setback when a crash in the time trial left him with a serious injury. After months of rehab, he returned to form in 2020, winning Strade Bianche and Milan–San Remo in back-to-back weekends, and adding two Tour stage wins while supporting his team in the mountains.

In 2021, Van Aert delivered a legendary Tour de France performance, winning on Mont Ventoux, taking the final time trial, and sprinting to victory on the Champs-Élysées – becoming the first rider since 1979 to win all three stage types in one Tour. He added a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics days later.

In 2022, Van Aert won the green jersey with three Tour stage wins and relentless attacking, helping teammate Vingegaard to yellow and earning the Most Combative Rider award.

In 2023, he took silver at the World Championships after a dramatic duel with van der Poel. That summer, he left the Tour early with his team’s support to attend the birth of his second child. In 2024, he bounced back with three stage wins at his debut Vuelta a España, showcasing his versatility once more. Despite crashing out late in the race, he ended the year by renewing his contract with Visma | Lease a Bike, committing to the team long term.

Wout van Aert has grown into one of the most consistent forces in the one-day classics. He broke through in 2020 with a solo win at Strade Bianche, followed a week later by victory at Milan–San Remo. Since then, he’s added major wins at Amstel Gold, Gent–Wevelgem, Omloop, and the E3 Classic to his growing list of achievements.

Time and again, Van Aert has been part of the decisive move in the Monuments – his mix of raw power on the cobbles and finishing speed makes him a perennial favorite. Yet he’s also been dubbed the “eternal second” after near-misses in Flanders and Roubaix, where bad luck and fierce rivals have denied him the top step.

At 30, Van Aert still sees Flanders and Roubaix as career-defining goals. He’s come close more than once, and with his talent and drive, another Monument win remains within reach.

One cannot tell Van Aert’s story without mentioning his rivalry with Mathieu van der Poel. The two have been competing since their teenage years in cyclocross, where Van Aert’s steady power met van der Poel’s explosive attacks. They traded world titles for nearly a decade, drawing huge crowds and elevating the sport with every head-to-head clash. Their contrasting styles and mutual respect turned their duels into one of the greatest rivalries cyclocross has ever seen.

That intensity carried over to the road, where they’ve fought for victory in some of cycling’s biggest races. From van der Poel’s photo-finish win over Van Aert at the 2020 Tour of Flanders to his decisive solo attack at the 2023 World Championships, their battles have become modern classics. Van Aert has often been the “best of the rest,” but never without pushing his rival to the limit.

Despite their fierce competition, both riders acknowledge the other’s role in shaping their careers. Off the bike, they aren’t close, but the admiration is clear. With each excelling in different terrains and disciplines, their rivalry remains thrillingly balanced - and with both still in their prime, many legendary battles are yet to come.

Wout van Aert’s life off the bike reflects his grounded, family-first character. He married Sarah De Bie in 2018, and the couple still lives near his hometown of Herentals. In 2021, they welcomed their first child, Georges. During the 2023 Tour de France, Van Aert left the race early to be home for the birth of their second son, Jerome - a widely praised decision that showed where his priorities lie.

Away from racing, Van Aert is known for his modest, down-to-earth nature. His humility and dedication have made him one of Belgium’s most beloved athletes. With awards like Flandrien of the Year and moments like holding baby Georges on the Tour podium, Van Aert stands out as a rare mix of superstar talent and everyday relatability.

Wout van Aert’s success on the bike has made him one of the highest-paid and most marketable cyclists in the world. As of 2024, his reported salary at Team Visma | Lease a Bike is around €3.5 million per year. He has a personal sponsorship deal with Red Bull, wearing their iconic helmet during cyclocross and select road events - a rare privilege in the pro peloton. Just like the additional income he generates from his cyclocross appearances in the winter.

• Triple Cyclocross World Champion: Three consecutive elite world titles (2016, 2017, 2018) in cyclocross, a rare feat of dominance.
• Historic Tour de France feat: First rider since 1979 (Bernard Hinault) to win a mountain stage, an individual time trial, and a mass sprint in a single Tour de France (achieved in 2021).
• Classic podium streak: Podium finishes in four of the five Monuments (second at Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, third at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, plus the win at San Remo), highlighting his all-around classics prowess.
• Cross & road crossover: One of the very few riders in history to be elite World Champion in cycloccross and also win multiple stages in Grand Tours, exemplifying a crossover success not seen in decades.

Wout van Aert remains in his prime and as ambitious as ever. High on his list: finally winning the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. Both Monuments have narrowly eluded him, but remain career-defining goals. The rainbow jersey is another dream still burning bright.

Meanwhile, he continues to be a key figure in the Tour de France - hunting stages, maybe chasing a second green jersey, and supporting Vingegaard in the GC battle.

In winter, Van Aert remains loyal to cyclocross, albeit with a lighter calendar. Select World Cup races and the World Championships still motivate him, and fans can expect more thrilling duels with van der Poel on Belgian mud. He’s shown no signs of stepping away from the discipline that launched his career.

With a 'contract for life', Van Aert is set to stay loyal to his team, providing both results and leadership. Whether it’s cobbles, climbs, cross or time trials, Van Aert will keep attacking, inspiring, and chasing the wins that still light his fire.