Belgian star’s resilience shines through despite setbacks in classics season

Wout van Aert is no stranger to adversity. The Belgian powerhouse, known for his all-terrain dominance and aggressive racing style, has faced his fair share of crashes, injuries, and setbacks throughout his career. Yet, each time, he has bounced back stronger.

This season, however, presented a unique challenge. After his crash in Dwars door Vlaanderen, his team, Visma | Lease a Bike, saw a different version of Van Aert—one that, for a brief moment, seemed vulnerable. However, extensive tests, combined with his performance at E3 Saxo Bank Classic, confirmed one crucial fact: changing his aggressive, all-in style is simply not an option.

Now, as the Tour of Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen) approaches, Van Aert is once again at the center of attention. Will his unwavering commitment to his attacking style pay off, or will it cost him another shot at the elusive Monument victory?

A Different Van Aert After the Dwars Door Vlaanderen Crash

On March 27, Wout van Aert lined up at Dwars door Vlaanderen, using the midweek semi-classic as his final preparation before the all-important Ronde. The Belgian was in strong form, fresh off a podium at E3 Saxo Bank Classic, and was expected to fine-tune his legs ahead of the biggest races of the spring.

But with 67 kilometers to go, disaster struck. Van Aert was caught in a high-speed crash that sent him tumbling to the ground. Though he quickly remounted and finished the race, the consequences were evident. Visibly shaken, he rode to the finish with a bruised and battered body, a stark contrast to the dominant figure who had attacked relentlessly just days earlier.

His team, Visma | Lease a Bike, immediately took notice.

“In the days after Dwars, we saw a different Wout,” admitted team sports director Arthur van Dongen. “Physically, he wasn’t at his best, but what stood out more was his mindset. He was more reserved, maybe even a little hesitant. That’s not the Van Aert we know.”

The psychological toll of repeated crashes cannot be underestimated. Last season, Van Aert crashed out of Paris-Roubaix, and his season ended with a heartbreaking Tour de France crash that ruled him out of the World Championships. Despite his mental resilience, each crash chips away at a rider’s confidence.

For a moment, Visma | Lease a Bike wondered: would Van Aert need to change his approach?

E3 Saxo Bank Classic and Medical Tests: No Need to Change Style

To answer that question, the team conducted thorough medical checks on Van Aert. Concussion concerns were ruled out, and scans revealed no fractures—just heavy bruising and road rash.

The bigger test, however, came on the road. E3 Saxo Bank Classic, held just days before Dwars door Vlaanderen, had already provided a glimpse of Van Aert’s true form. He finished third behind Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar, proving that he was in world-class condition.

After the crash, Van Aert himself admitted that doubts crept in. “I was thinking about whether I should be more cautious. But after looking at my numbers and reviewing E3, I knew I had to keep racing my way.”

His team echoed the sentiment.

“Wout is at his best when he races aggressively,” said Merijn Zeeman, Visma | Lease a Bike’s head coach. “If he starts holding back, he won’t be Wout van Aert anymore. We trust his instinct and ability to read a race. His style has won him races, and it will win him more.”

Van Aert’s decision was clear: despite the crashes, he would not change his approach.

The Unfinished Business of the Tour of Flanders

With the Tour of Flanders approaching, the debate over Van Aert’s chances has intensified. Though he is among the strongest riders of his generation, Flanders remains a missing piece in his Monument collection.

Since turning professional in 2018, Van Aert has consistently been a contender in the Ronde. However, each year, something has gone wrong:

• 2020 – Beaten in a sprint by Van der Poel
• 2021 – Missed the decisive move and finished 6th
• 2022 – Forced out by COVID-19
• 2023 – Dropped by Pogačar and Van der Poel, finishing 4th

“I feel like I’ve been close so many times,” Van Aert admitted. “It’s a race that means a lot to me. Every year, I prepare specifically for it, and every year, something happens.”

His near-misses have only fueled the pressure. In Belgium, where cycling is akin to religion, Van Aert’s rivalry with Mathieu van der Poel is one of the sport’s most intense storylines. Van der Poel has won Flanders twice (2020, 2022) and seems to thrive under pressure.

For Van Aert, the expectation to deliver is immense.

“Wout doesn’t just want to win Flanders—he needs to win Flanders,” said Tom Boonen, a four-time winner of the race. “Belgium sees him as the next big classics king, but until he wins, there will always be questions.”

Riding on Instinct: The Only Way Forward

If there’s one thing the past few weeks have reaffirmed, it’s that Van Aert cannot afford to change his natural style.

His aggressive, attacking racing is what sets him apart. Whether it’s solo attacks on the Kwaremont, breakaways on the Paterberg, or all-out sprints in the final kilometers, Van Aert thrives when he races with instinct.

His E3 Saxo Bank Classic performance proved that he is still capable of taking the fight to Van der Poel and Pogačar. Despite being outsprinted, he was the only rider able to match them on the cobbled climbs—a crucial sign ahead of Flanders.

The crash in Dwars door Vlaanderen may have briefly made him hesitate, but his mentality is now clear: caution is not an option.

“I can’t change the way I race,” Van Aert said defiantly. “If I stop attacking, if I start being too careful, I won’t be myself anymore. I’d rather race for the win and take risks than sit back and regret not trying.”

His team, his fans, and the cycling world now wait to see if that strategy will finally deliver him the Ronde van Vlaanderen victory he has been chasing for years.

One thing is certain: when Van Aert takes to the roads of Flanders, he will do so with full commitment, full aggression, and zero hesitation. Whether it leads to victory or heartbreak, he will race on his terms—just as he always has.