Wout van Aert, one of Belgium’s brightest cycling stars, has set his sights on a strong performance in the 2025 season, with his main focus being the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. However, as the Tour of Flanders approaches, the challenge has never been more daunting, particularly with the arrival of Tadej Pogacar, a formidable rival who adds significant pressure on Van Aert’s ambitions.
Pogacar, the Slovenian sensation, returns to Flanders after skipping the race last year. His absence in 2024 only heightens the anticipation of his return in 2025, and the expectations around his performance are sky-high. With his stellar ability to perform across different terrains, including the punishing climbs of Flanders, Pogacar is viewed as the rider to beat. The battle for victory in Flanders is expected to be an intense one, and for riders like Van Aert, it will be no easy feat.
Tiesj Benoot, a key member of Van Aert’s team, acknowledged the challenge in an interview with Het Nieuwsblad. “It will be very difficult to beat Pogacar, we can’t deny that,” he said. However, Benoot remains optimistic about the team’s strength in numbers. “We have more options than other teams, and we will have to try to play that out,” he explained. In a one-day race like the Tour of Flanders, anything can happen, and Van Aert’s team will have to make strategic moves to capitalize on any opportunity.
Beyond Pogacar’s presence, the course itself poses another significant disadvantage for Van Aert. In recent years, the Tour of Flanders has evolved into a more demanding race, with many more climbs than in the past. This shift has made the race more challenging for power riders like Van Aert, who excel in flatter, faster sections. While he possesses the necessary explosiveness and climbing ability, the increased number of climbs plays into the hands of lighter, more nimble riders like Pogacar, who thrives in such conditions.
Benoot expressed concern over the course’s difficulty, noting that “the course used to be much easier.” He believes that in long, grueling races, lighter riders like Pogacar have a distinct advantage. In contrast, Van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel, who rely on raw power and strength, might perform better in a race with a shorter, more intense finale. “If you look at it that way, it might be better for riders like Wout and Mathieu to have a shorter final,” Benoot said.
Despite these challenges, Benoot, along with Van Aert’s passionate fanbase, remains hopeful. “Everyone in Belgium, and certainly in the team, hopes that Wout can finish it off himself in the biggest races,” Benoot said. For many, there is no rider they would rather see win Flanders than Van Aert. However, with Pogacar’s return and the demanding nature of the race, the alarm bells are ringing for Wout’s chances in 2025.
