“As a Belgian, riding these Classics is one of the best things you can do.”
He may have won bike races all across Europe, but it’s the small pocket of cobbled climbs and country roads in Flanders Wout van Aert holds dear. You can see why a cult following has developed around the Belgian. Yes, being the best Flemish Classics rider of any generation will garner adoration, but it’s also his candidness in front of fans and the press that makes the 31-year-old from Herentals so beloved. Ahead of the Tour of Flanders – the pinnacle of the Flemish cycling calendar – it was no different.
“The other guys remain the big favourites, and they have something more than all the others on the starting line. I wouldn't consider myself in this ‘big four’ [of one-day races],” said the Visma-Lease a bike rider, referring to the current crop of stars, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech), and Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).
Despite Van Aert’s impressive form – he may not have won yet in 2026 but doubt him at your peril – it was the latter's name, Evenepoel, who has been the hot topic in the local papers ahead of De Ronde. The Red Bull rider is the joker that could shuffle the pack at Sunday’s Monument, a race which has slipped out of Van Aert’s grasp so far in his career. Both riders start as key contenders for the Tour de Flanders, but not the out-right favourites. So, could a Flemish alliance form if Pogačar and/or Van der Poel got away over the hellingen?
“It's really nice to see him go in the starting line. I think he will be a huge competitor. He's one of the best one-day racers we have in the peloton. I think it's very brave to try his chance,” said Van Aert of his compatriot. “If he will be an ally that will depend on a lot of factors – if he's there in the final, if I am there, what's the race situation – but what I like about him is, for sure, he's a real racer and I consider myself as the same type of rider, so we can work well together.”
It certainly changes the dynamic going into the race and its build-up. Visma’s press conference in Deerlijk was quieter than usual. 10km east along the E17, in Waregem, the defending champion, Pogačar was in front of the cameras and questions at the same time as Van Aert. An hour earlier and in the opposite direction in Ledegem, Evenepoel had his time in front of the eager press. So Van Aert was grateful to not be the centre of attention. But even still, he is always going to be hot property. In this area of West Flanders, the Classics are a big deal, and one he has grown up with. Despite being at the forefront of the cobbles for the best part of a decade, that excitement hasn’t worn off. Van Aert loves it.
“It's, of course, a stressful period,” he said, smiling, “but it's also one of the best weeks of the year to be here in the middle, not only of the attention, but also in the middle of the biggest scene we have in cycling. Every year it gives me goosebumps. I felt it already with the recon and stuff like that. It's really cool.
“I'm enjoying the process more now, and all the things that come with it. Some I accept more easily, and some I appreciate more. You get a bit older, you get a bit wiser, and you know what to expect.”
That experience has been shaped by one rivalry more than any other. The one with Mathieu van der Poel, who he went head-to-head against in a two-man attack at last week’s In Flanders Fields (formerly Gent-Wevelgem).
“It definitely brings back memories of being in the front together with Mathieu but on the other hand, it also feels not that strange, because it happened often in the past, when we were younger. It’s how I like to race, and I'm happy with that.”
A happy Van Aert is one good thing. After a period of setbacks, misfortune and disappointments, fans are rejoicing at the sight of their idol attacking. If he can put in another iconic performance on Sunday, there will be plenty celebrating in Belgium and beyond.
