Wout van Aert

Belgian cyclist who won three consecutive cyclo-cross world titles before becoming one of road cycling's most versatile Classics and time-trial specialists, finally winning Paris-Roubaix in 2026.

Born in Herentals, Belgium on September 15, 1994, Wout van Aert emerged from cyclocross racing to become one of cycling's most complete athletes. His early career was dominated by cyclocross success, where he captured three consecutive UCI Cyclocross World Championships from 2016 to 2018, establishing himself as the sport's premier talent before transitioning to road racing. Van Aert's road career flourished after joining Team Jumbo-Visma in 2019, where his exceptional versatility became apparent across multiple disciplines. He secured victories in prestigious one-day classics including Milan-Sanremo and multiple cobbled monuments, while simultaneously excelling in Grand Tour competition. His Tour de France performances have been particularly notable, accumulating stage victories across sprints, time trials, and mountain breakaways—a rare feat that demonstrates his unique physiological gifts. Beyond road racing, he achieved Olympic gold in the omnium at the Tokyo 2020 Games, showcasing his track cycling abilities. The 2022 season was marked by both triumph and adversity. Van Aert suffered a severe crash during the Tour de France that required emergency surgery for a femoral artery tear, temporarily halting his momentum. However, his resilience and ability to return to top-level competition reinforced his reputation for mental fortitude. His rivalry with Dutch cyclist Mathieu van der Poel has defined much of modern cycling's narrative, with their contrasting styles and backgrounds creating compelling storylines across multiple racing disciplines. Van Aert's significance extends beyond individual achievements to his role in cycling's evolution. His success across vastly different terrain and race formats has redefined expectations for modern cyclists, drawing comparisons to Belgian legend Eddy Merckx for his versatility. As a key figure for Visma-Lease a Bike, he has helped establish the team as a dominant force in professional cycling, contributing to their Grand Tour and classics campaigns while inspiring a new generation of multi-disciplinary cyclists. Van Aert won Paris-Roubaix in 2026, outsprinting Tadej Pogačar to hand the Slovenian his only defeat of the season to that point, before an elbow infection ruled him out of the 2026 Tour de France.

Van Aert is renowned for his exceptional versatility, capable of winning sprints, climbing with the best, and excelling in time trials. His powerful sprint finish combined with his ability to handle cobbled classics and challenging terrain makes him a constant threat in races. He possesses remarkable tactical intelligence and can adapt his racing strategy based on the specific demands of each competition.

Van Aert has redefined what it means to be a complete cyclist in the modern era, proving that specialization isn't necessary for success at the highest level.

• Cyclo-cross World Champion 2016, 2017, 2018
• Milan-San Remo 2020
• Paris-Roubaix 2026
• Tour de France points classification 2022
• Olympic silver (TT) 2020