“At times he was scared” – Wout van Aert still feeling the impacts of 2024 crashes

After a difficult 2024 season marked by crashes, injuries, and inconsistent form, Wout van Aert is under pressure to prove himself in what feels like a make-or-break spring campaign. Although his 2025 start has lacked fireworks, Visma's Mathieu Heijboer believes that the Belgian star is on the right trajectory, and ready to battle with the best once more.

Speaking to Het Nieuwsblad, Heijboer acknowledged the high stakes facing his rider this spring, as Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar continue to raise the bar in the classics.

“Van Aert will really not get more space from Van der Poel because he is busy with Pogacar,” Heijboer said, highlighting the suffocating pressure that comes with riding in an era dominated by two generational talents.

Despite a quiet showing at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, Van Aert’s trainer remains optimistic that his form is building at the right time.

“He has grown mentally. He has gained a lot more confidence because he feels that his form is returning. We also have every confidence that he will fight for his position in the coming weeks as usual.”

Van Aert’s subdued performances during Opening Weekend raised eyebrows. For a rider who is usually aggressive from the get-go, something felt off, and Heijboer admits there were lingering effects from last season’s setbacks.

“At times he was scared. That all had to do with his heavy crashes in 2024. It was not a big issue within the team, but we did talk to Wout about it to make sure it doesn't happen to him again,” Heijboer revealed.

While Pogacar and Van der Poel continue to produce headline-grabbing performances, including an unforgettable showdown at Milano-Sanremo last weekend, Heijboer believes the cycling world has short memories when it comes to Van Aert’s capabilities.

“Wout was injured for a long time and was unable to compete last year. As a result, people have forgotten how good Wout is,” he said.

At the same time, he acknowledged the gulf that currently exists between the two top stars and the rest of the peloton.

“Although I do not deny that Van der Poel and Pogacar are above the rest and that we as a team had homework after the opening weekend.”

But Heijboer remains firm in his belief that Van Aert can rejoin the fight, starting with the E3 Saxo Bank Classic and moving into Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.

“But we are not lying on the ropes because they rode such a beautiful Milan-Sanremo and we are confident that Wout can compete with them,” he concluded.