According to Bart Wellens, 2025 had several striking moments. He referred, among other things, to the return of Victor Campenaerts and his performance after his switch, which was an important signal for him during the cycling year.
Expectations around Van Aert
2025 was a wonderful cycling year. Analyst Bart Wellens also discussed Wout van Aert’s situation. It also showed beautiful things. “Certainly, and especially the courage with which he continued to do so,” he said.
The future looks bright for Van Aert, according to Wellens, but not in cross country anymore. “He fell very hard twice in 2024: straight through Flanders and then again in Spain. If you see him driving now, I have met him sometimes in training, his knee is completely gone. And yet he does not give up. I expect a lot from him in 2026, but on the road.”
At his house
Wellens then outlined how Van Aert compares to his competitors. “He is a bit like the Poulidor of his time: always just second because he always bumps into Tadej Pogacar, Mathieu van der Poel or Remco Evenepoel. But for me he will always remain Sterke Wout.”
Wellens referred to personal memories from their period as teammates. The anecdote about a visit to his family illustrated how his daughter gave Van Aert the nickname ‘Sterke Wout’.
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Regardless of results or setbacks, Wout van Aert remains someone who enjoys a lot of sympathy among the general public. Wellens’ daughter is also very proud of what Van Aert does. “Then she says: ‘Strong Wout sat on the trampoline with us!’”, he concludes with a laugh.
