Wout van Aert Confident He’s Building Towards Peak Form at the Tour de France: “I Feel Like I’m Getting Better and Better”
After a turbulent start to the 2024–25 season, Belgian cycling star Wout van Aert has made it clear he is finally regaining his rhythm at the 2025 Tour de France. The Team Visma–Lease a Bike rider, who missed months of racing earlier this year due to injuries from a high-speed crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen, says he’s beginning to feel more like himself as the Grand Tour progresses.
Speaking after a strong showing on one of the early transitional stages, Van Aert revealed that he’s encouraged by the progress he’s making. “I feel like I’m getting better and better,” he said. “Every day I’m feeling stronger, my legs are responding well, and I’m back to enjoying the race. That’s a big shift from where I was just a few weeks ago.”
Van Aert had returned to racing at the Tour of Norway in May, where he quietly tested his limits with a string of top-five finishes. It was there that he first noticed his body was starting to respond positively again. “I felt like I was getting better and that was what I was hoping for. The most important thing is that I had no pain,” he said at the time.
However, just weeks before the Tour de France was set to begin, Van Aert suffered a setback. A stomach illness forced him to pull out of the Belgian National Championships, casting doubt on whether he’d be in shape to make an impact in the Tour. Despite concerns, both Van Aert and his team chose to stay the course, emphasizing that his long-term recovery remained on track.
Now, with nearly a week of racing behind him, the signs are positive. Van Aert has looked increasingly confident on the bike, contributing significantly to team efforts and showing flashes of the form that made him one of the most versatile riders in the peloton.
“I’m still not quite where I want to be, but I’m improving every day,” Van Aert said. “These races are always a test—not just physically, but mentally too. Coming back from injury takes time. There were moments when I wasn’t sure I’d make it back in time, but we stayed focused, and now I feel like I’m close to reaching my top level again.”
Team Visma–Lease a Bike sports director Merijn Zeeman also voiced confidence in Van Aert’s trajectory. “We’ve seen a steady upward trend,” Zeeman told reporters. “Wout is showing that he’s mentally resilient and physically ready to compete. He’s an important part of our team strategy, and we believe he’ll be a decisive factor in the stages to come.”
Van Aert, known for his ability to contend across terrains—from mountain breakaways to sprint lead-outs—hasn’t yet gone for an individual stage win this year but hasn’t ruled out the possibility as his condition continues to sharpen.
“I’m taking it day by day,” he said. “The Tour is a long race. If the right opportunity comes, I’ll go for it. But for now, I’m focused on helping the team and building toward my best form.”
As the Tour heads into more challenging terrain, all eyes will be on Van Aert to see if his steady recovery can turn into a stage-winning performance. For now, the Belgian remains patient, optimistic, and motivated—ready to remind the cycling world of what he’s capable of.
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