Wout van Aert has hinted at a significant shift in his professional cycling career after revealing that he may step back from competing in one-day Classics. The Belgian rider, known for his dominance in races such as Milan–San Remo, Strade Bianche, and the Amstel Gold Race, opened up emotionally after a recent stage, admitting the physical and mental toll of the spring campaign may be too much to sustain.
He acknowledged the mounting fatigue that has come with years of intense racing, stating, “My body can’t keep doing it.” Despite maintaining competitive form and delivering strong performances throughout the 2025 season, van Aert suggested that his passion for the one-day calendar may be giving way to more sustainable goals.
The 30-year-old, who has already amassed an impressive record in both Grand Tours and Classics, has faced a string of challenges over the past year. A crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen and a difficult recovery period following a Vuelta a España incident have contributed to his reevaluation. Though he recently returned with solid form—earning a podium at the Olympics and showing promise at the Tour—he admitted that the Classics demand a level of intensity that might no longer suit him long-term.
Sources within his Visma–Lease a Bike team have echoed his sentiments, with management expressing support for whatever direction he chooses. Van Aert’s recent comments do not confirm retirement from one-day races, but they mark a possible turning point in how he approaches the remainder of his career.
He is expected to continue focusing on selective stage races and time trials, where the effort is more concentrated and recovery better managed. While fans may see less of him on the cobbles and brutal spring circuits, van Aert’s versatility and competitive fire suggest he will remain a major presence in the peloton—just on different terms.
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