Wout van Aert Finally Reveals Tour de France Goals — But Pledges Sacrifice for Visma’s Greater Ambition
By Staff Writer
After months of speculation and silence, Wout van Aert has finally revealed his personal ambitions for the 2025 Tour de France — and as expected, the Belgian powerhouse has set the bar high. Yet in true van Aert fashion, the announcement came laced not with bold declarations of personal conquest, but with a striking emphasis on teamwork, selflessness, and Visma | Lease a Bike’s grander mission: winning yellow once again.
At a press conference held at the team’s training base in the French Alps, van Aert addressed reporters with his trademark calm and clarity. “Of course, I have ambitions. I want to win. I want to leave my mark,” he began. “But I also know that the Tour is not about ego — it’s about execution. About timing. And above all, about the team.”
This year’s Tour de France promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, with the likes of Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel, and Primož Roglič all gunning for yellow. In such a brutal field, every tactical nuance and team role matters — and van Aert seems ready to once again be the glue that holds Visma’s ambitions together.
“The Tour Isn’t About Me. It’s Bigger Than Me.”
Van Aert, widely regarded as the most versatile rider in modern cycling, is entering the Tour after a disrupted spring due to a crash during Dwars door Vlaanderen and subsequent injury layoff. His return at the Critérium du Dauphiné was promising, and he’s been quietly rebuilding form through altitude training in preparation for July’s grand stage.
So, what exactly are his Tour goals?
“I would love to win a stage — that’s always a goal. The time trials, a tough sprint, or a long-range breakaway — I’ll take any opportunity I can. But more than that, I’ll do what I need to for Jonas. If that means riding on the front for hours, I’m ready. If it means giving up a chance at a stage, so be it.”
This willingness to put the team above personal accolades has become van Aert’s signature trait — one that has earned him praise not just from Visma’s leadership, but from fans, rivals, and cycling purists around the world.
The Shadow of Yellow
At the heart of Visma’s Tour plan is, of course, Jonas Vingegaard, the two-time Tour winner who remains one of the favorites despite his own recent setbacks. Van Aert confirmed that the team’s primary objective is to defend (or reclaim) the maillot jaune and that all roles — including his — will be crafted with that singular purpose.
“Yellow is sacred in our team,” he said. “Everything we do, every pull on the front, every tactical move — it’s all designed to put Jonas in position to win. If I get a moment to shine along the way, it’s a bonus. But the big prize is for the team.”
This clarity of purpose isn’t new for van Aert. He’s played selfless roles in previous Tours, famously sacrificing personal stage wins in 2022 to help Vingegaard conquer the Alps. Still, fans hoped this year might offer more freedom for the Belgian — especially given his past brilliance, including nine career Tour stage wins, a green jersey, and dominant rides in nearly every terrain.
But it seems van Aert is once again embracing the “Swiss Army Knife” role that has made him so indispensable — and beloved.
Balancing Ambition and Devotion
Behind the humility lies a fierce competitor who still has his sights set on more personal glory. Van Aert hinted that certain stages — especially the time trials — remain major targets.
“The time trial is something special. It’s one of the purest tests in cycling. I’ve trained for it. If the moment is right and the legs are there, I’ll go all in.”
The 2025 Tour features two individual time trials, including one that ends the race in Paris — a rare and poetic setting for a final showdown. Van Aert’s TT ability is among the best in the world, and he’s widely expected to challenge for victory if given the green light.
He also noted that breakaway stages in the second week offer “opportunities for brave riders,” and teased the possibility of “one big solo effort — just for the love of it.”
But he returned often to the theme of team sacrifice.
“If I ride in support and we win yellow again, that’s worth more than any solo stage. I’ve had my glory days. Now I want to build something even bigger — a legacy with this team.”
Fans React: Pride, Admiration, and a Little Bit of Longing
Social media exploded with reactions to van Aert’s announcement, ranging from awe at his humility to hope for at least one day of full freedom.
- “Wout deserves a stage. But he’s the ultimate teammate.”
- “The man rides for his country, his team, and the love of the sport. A true legend.”
- “If he doesn’t win a stage this year, it won’t be because he wasn’t strong enough — it’ll be because he’s too loyal.”
Belgian fans especially expressed mixed emotions — proud of van Aert’s team-first ethos, but hungry to see their champion take the spotlight for himself once again.
A Tour Defined by Teamwork
With the Tour fast approaching, Visma | Lease a Bike enters with one of the most loaded squads in the peloton. Van Aert’s role will be critical — covering attacks, setting tempo in the mountains, guiding younger teammates, and perhaps delivering one of his trademark long-range raids.
The 2025 edition will mark van Aert’s sixth Tour, and quite possibly his most emotionally charged, given the adversity he’s faced this season and the expectations swirling around him.
As he closed out his remarks to the press, van Aert left no doubt about his focus.
“Whatever happens in July — whether I’m in the breakaway, on the front of the bunch, or emptying the tank in the mountains — I just want to leave the Tour with no regrets. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
And if past years are any indicator, no matter the results, Wout van Aert will once again leave the Tour as its most complete rider — and its most respected one.
