Wout van Aert is a name synonymous with success in the world of cycling. As the 2025 road season begins, the Belgian star is hoping for better luck than the previous year, which was marred by two significant crashes. Despite these setbacks, Van Aert managed to secure a few victories in 2024. However, his biggest goals — namely the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix — are still elusive. With the clock ticking, the question arises: is the end of his illustrious career approaching?
Not Thinking About Retirement Yet
Van Aert turned 30 in September, marking the beginning of what many consider the later stages of his career. While some athletes may start thinking about retirement at this age, the Belgian isn’t rushing to make any decisions. In an interview with Relevo, Van Aert reflected on his age in the peloton. “That’s hard to say, to be honest,” he admitted when asked about his future. “Every day I ride against riders who sometimes perform even better at 35 than when they were 30. For others, the decline sets in sooner. So I don’t really know.”
Though he acknowledges the inevitability of aging, Van Aert remains upbeat about his career. “I’m 30 now, and it’s true that I’m starting to feel a bit older in the peloton with all those young guys,” he laughed. However, he doesn’t consider himself “old” or worn out. “I still feel young. I also started road cycling relatively late because of cyclocross. So I am honestly not thinking about taking it easy yet,” he emphasized, giving hope to fans who want to see more of him at the top of the sport.
The Realization of Time Passing
While Van Aert is not yet ready to hang up his wheels, the reality of age is starting to set in. “For the first time, I am thinking about it a little bit,” he confessed. “Thirty is a nice age, but as a cyclist, you might suddenly be in the second part of your career. It all happened so quickly.” This realization has made him more conscious of the limited number of years he has left at his peak. “I wouldn’t say that I’m more impatient now, but I do realize that I only have a few good years and therefore opportunities left. I’m not eager to experiment a lot anymore — I want to do it now.”
Rivalry with Van der Poel
Van Aert’s pursuit of the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix is inseparable from his rivalry with Mathieu van der Poel, another cycling titan. Despite their fierce competition, Van Aert is not tired of the rivalry. “A few years ago, it was more difficult for me,” he admitted, “But mainly because I didn’t know how to deal with it. Now that’s not the case anymore.” He respects Van der Poel’s talent and considers himself the rider who comes closest to challenging him. “Mathieu is a great athlete, so it’s normal that I often lose to him. I try to realize more that I’m the one who is closest to him and offers him the most competition. And so it’s a very nice rivalry.”
When asked if they have ever spent time together outside of racing, Van Aert revealed that they haven’t developed a friendship beyond their professional rivalry. “No, we have never spent time together outside of cycling. Ultimately, we remain rivals and then it is difficult to build a close bond. But maybe one day, when we retire,” he mused.
As Van Aert continues his pursuit of cycling’s biggest prizes, his awareness of his career’s passage is evident. While he may not be ready to retire just yet, the pressure to achieve his remaining goals is certainly on. The rivalry with Van der Poel will continue to be a defining factor in his journey, as both riders push each other toward greater heights in the sport.
