“Do it for your children” – Emotional footage shows Visma cheer on Wout van Aert to unforgettable Giro win

Wout van Aert has won almost everything there is to win in cycling. But in recent years, his career has been defined as much by setbacks and injuries as by triumphs. On Sunday, however, he reminded the world exactly who he is.

Stage 9 of the 2025 Giro d’Italia saw the peloton tackle the brutal gravel sectors of Tuscany, iconic stretches borrowed from Strade Bianche, and finish in the historic heart of Siena. On these unforgiving roads, Van Aert became a Grand Tour stage winner once again, delivering one of the most emotional victories of his career.

New footage has now emerged from the Team Visma | Lease a Bike car, revealing the intensity and emotion inside the team as Van Aert fought for glory. Sporting director Marc Reef was on the radio during one of the most critical moments of the stage, urging his rider forward.

“They’re dropping, Wout! You’re alone with Del Toro now. Come on, man. This is your day. Do it for your children!” Reef shouted, as Van Aert held firm on a decisive climb alongside Mathias Vacek, Egan Bernal, and Isaac Del Toro on an epic stage of the Giro.

As Del Toro surged on a sloping section, Van Aert clung to his wheel with determination. Reef warned him of what was to come, “You have to be at the front now, because there will be an attack on the 14% section.”

Then, on the punishing final ramp of the Via Santa Caterina, Reef’s voice echoed again through the radio, “Keep fighting! Stay on your wheel!”

Van Aert did more than that. He found another gear, surged past his Mexican rival, and powered his way to a stunning solo win in Siena. The Visma car erupted in pure elation as the Belgian crossed the line.

“YES! YES! YES!” Reef and his colleagues screamed, overwhelmed by the moment and the magnitude of the comeback. Remember, this was Van Aert’s first win in 2025, and his first win since his horrible crash at last year’s Vuelta. He has now completed his hat trick of grand tour stages.

It was a victory that meant the world, not only to the rider and his team but also to his family. Speaking to HLN, Van Aert’s wife Sarah De Bie summed up the emotion of the day.

“The relief has never been so great,” she said. “The fact that it works out here again means a lot.”