Why Wout van Aert is considered the most complete cyclist of his generation
In short: Belgian rider Wout van Aert has redefined modern cycling by mastering everything from mountain climbs to bunch sprints. Despite a career nearly derailed by a severe 2019 crash, he has secured ten Tour de France stage wins and two Monuments, cementing his status as an unparalleled, versatile force in the sport.
Born in Herentals, Flanders, in 1994, Wout van Aert initially rose to prominence as a cyclo-cross specialist, claiming three consecutive world titles between 2016 and 2018. His transition to road racing was marked by rapid success, though it was not without friction; his 2018 departure from the Vérandas Willems–Crelan team resulted in a high-profile contract dispute that saw his new team, LottoNL–Jumbo, eventually secure his services in March 2019.
Van Aert’s trajectory hit a harrowing low in July 2019 when a high-speed crash during a Tour de France time trial caused severe injuries. Complications from surgery—specifically a failure to properly repair a tendon—left his professional future in doubt. Yet, his recovery was swift and emphatic. By 2020, he was winning major classics like Strade Bianche and Milan–San Remo, proving his resilience. His 2022 Tour de France performance remains a benchmark for versatility; he won the green jersey while simultaneously acting as a crucial domestique for teammate Jonas Vingegaard, helping the team secure both the yellow and green jerseys.
The Belgian’s career is defined by his tactical intelligence and raw power, though it is also punctuated by narrow misses. He has accumulated over fifty professional road wins, yet he is frequently noted for high-profile second and third-place finishes in Monuments and World Championships. His long-standing rivalry with Mathieu van der Poel is widely regarded as one of the greatest in cycling history. Even as he continues to evolve—recently re-signing with Visma–Lease a Bike for the remainder of his career—van Aert remains a rider who can win on almost any terrain, from the cobbles of Paris–Roubaix to the steepest mountain passes.
Despite his dominance, van Aert has faced significant setbacks, including a 2024 crash at the Vuelta a España that forced his withdrawal due to knee pain. These moments of adversity, combined with his tactical errors and bad luck in close finishes, add a layer of human vulnerability to his otherwise storied career. Whether he is winning a sprint on the Champs-Élysées or pacing a teammate up a mountain, van Aert’s ability to perform across disparate disciplines makes him a singular figure in contemporary sport.
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