Belgian professional cyclist Wout van Aert endured a major setback after a devastating high-speed crash during the Dwars door Vlaanderen race. The incident left him with multiple severe injuries, including a fractured collarbone, a broken sternum, and several broken ribs. These injuries not only sidelined him from the prestigious Spring Classics but also cast a shadow over his possible participation in the Giro d’Italia later that year. Van Aert’s absence from the Spring calendar was a significant blow both to his personal ambitions and to his team’s expectations for the season.
His misfortune didn’t end there. In September 2024, van Aert suffered another serious accident, this time during Stage 16 of the Vuelta a España. Navigating a treacherous descent in wet conditions, he crashed again—this time sustaining a knee injury that required considerable medical attention. The injury was serious enough to end his racing season prematurely, forcing him to withdraw from competition and focus on a long and intensive recovery. It marked yet another frustrating halt in a year already disrupted by physical trauma.
Despite these repeated setbacks, van Aert maintained a determined outlook. By December 2024, he was preparing to make a competitive comeback through cyclocross—a discipline where he had previously found great success. He aimed to participate in the UCI Cyclocross World Cup in Hulst, scheduled for December 21, and several other races in Belgium. These events were strategically chosen to help him build form and sharpen his competitive edge ahead of a key goal: the 2025 Cyclocross World Championships in February.
Van Aert’s return to cyclocross was not just about reclaiming his former dominance in that domain—it was a crucial stepping stone toward his broader racing ambitions in 2025. At the start of the new year, he outlined a bold and demanding race calendar. For the first time in his career, he planned to compete in the Giro d’Italia, set to take place in May. This would mark a significant milestone, expanding his Grand Tour experience beyond the Tour de France and Vuelta a España. In addition, van Aert confirmed his intentions to return to the Tour de France later in the summer, reaffirming his commitment to perform at the highest level across multiple terrains and formats.
His aspirations for the 2025 season also extended to some of the most celebrated one-day races in cycling, particularly the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. These monument races have always held a special place in van Aert’s heart, and they present an opportunity for redemption after missing the previous spring campaign due to injury. Known for his versatility, strength, and tactical intelligence, van Aert was eager to reassert his place among the world’s elite cyclists.
However, the early months of the 2025 season have not gone according to plan. As of April, van Aert has yet to claim a victory. His performance at A Través de Flandes—a smaller but still prestigious one-day race—was particularly disappointing. He later admitted to making tactical mistakes during the race, describing some of his decisions as selfish and acknowledging that they compromised his chances of winning. These comments revealed a self-critical and reflective mindset, as van Aert took responsibility for the outcome rather than attributing it to external factors.
Despite the early frustrations and lack of podium finishes, van Aert remains focused and optimistic about the rest of the season. He views the upcoming Tour of Flanders as a pivotal race—an opportunity to demonstrate that he is still capable of performing at the top level after a year of physical and mental challenges. For both fans and critics, the Tour of Flanders will serve as a litmus test of his current form and his prospects for success in the remainder of the year.
Van Aert’s 2025 campaign is thus shaped by a mix of recovery, ambition, and resilience. The physical toll of his 2024 injuries is undeniable, but his continued presence in the peloton and his ambitious race calendar signal an athlete not content to fade quietly into the background. He is fighting not only to regain his competitive edge but also to reinforce his legacy in a sport where form, confidence, and momentum are everything.
More than just a season of racing, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of personal and professional reinvention for Wout van Aert. With key races still ahead, he remains committed to pushing his limits and proving that he can once again rise to the top of the cycling world. Whether through strategic victories in one-day classics, a strong performance in the Giro d’Italia, or a return to glory in the Tour de France, van Aert’s journey this year promises to be one of the most compelling storylines in professional cycling.
