Wout van Aert’s Spring Classics: A Story of Grit, Consistency, and Near Misses
When it comes to the Spring Classics, few riders capture the imagination like Wout van Aert The Belgian powerhouse is known for his versatility, tactical acumen, and sheer tenacity on the cobbles. In 2025, Van Aert once again delivered a season that showcased his class but also stirred conversation about near misses and what might have been.
Here’s a look at Van Aert’s last five races, and what they reveal about one of cycling’s most compelling figures:
2nd – Dwars door Vlaanderen
Van Aert’s Spring campaign kicked off strongly with a podium at *Dwars door Vlaanderen*. He rode assertively, marked the right moves, and showed the form we’ve come to expect. Although he just missed the top step, it was clear Wout was back to business and ready to battle through the Classics.
4th – Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders)
The Ronde is always a special race for Belgian riders — and Van Aert is no exception. With expectations sky-high, he put in a solid performance. Fourth place in one of the hardest editions in recent memory was respectable, but for a rider of Van Aert’s caliber, anything short of a win can feel bittersweet. He was strong, but not quite decisive enough when the key moves went up the road.
4th – Paris-Roubaix
“Hell of the North” lived up to its name again, with chaos, crashes, and carnage on the cobbles. Van Aert was again in the thick of it, riding with toughness and resilience. A fourth-place finish at *Roubaix* confirmed his condition, but the elusive victory at the velodrome remains a goal for another year. Still, few can match his consistency on such brutal terrain.
2nd – De Brabantse Pijl
Switching gears from the cobbles to the rolling roads of *Brabantse Pijl*, Van Aert showed his sharpness once more. Another podium finish, another second place — another reminder of how close he is to converting effort into victory. His ability to compete on different terrains makes him one of the most complete riders in the peloton.
4th – Amstel Gold Race
Closing out his Spring with the Amstel Gold Race, Van Aert added yet another top-five finish. A tactical and hilly race, Amstel requires patience and punch — and Van Aert brought both. But again, the win slipped away, leaving him with a string of admirable results but no monument or one-day win to show for them.
The Bigger Picture: A Season of Almosts
Van Aert’s last five results —2nd, 4th, 4th, 2nd, and 4th paint a picture of remarkable consistency. He’s been in the mix at every major race he’s entered. He’s avoided injury, maintained form, and played a key role in shaping each finale. And yet, the glaring absence of a victory may leave fans and perhaps Van Aert himself wondering what more it takes.
But consistency at the very top level is no small feat. In an era packed with talent like Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogačar, and others, podiums are hard-earned. Wout’s campaign has shown he remains a force to be reckoned with, even if the Classics win column stays empty this spring.
What’s Next?
Will he carry this form into the Tour de France? Will the late summer classics or World Championships finally bring the reward his riding deserves? If there’s one thing we know about Wout van Aert, it’s that he never backs down and he’s never far from the podium.
One thing is certain: Wout’s 2025 Spring Classics weren’t about failure. They were about relentless pursuit, unwavering heart, and a reminder that sometimes, the journey is just as compelling as the victory.
