"Every time you think he's out, Van Aert comes back” – But can he peak in time for Paris-Roubaix?

Wout van Aert delivered a determined performance at Sunday’s Tour of Flanders, finishing fourth and signalling a return to form after a disrupted 2024 season plagued by crashes. It was his first major result of 2025, and a promising sign ahead of Paris–Roubaix this weekend.

Perhaps more importantly, it partially silenced the critics who have hounded him so far this season.

Speaking on the Wuyts & Vlaeminck podcast, cycling commentator Michel Wuyts praised Van Aert’s resilience and ability to dig deep when it matters most.

"Every time you think he's out, Van Aert comes back on the false flat. That's why I'm convinced that he can compete for victory in Roubaix on Sunday."

Despite being winless at Flanders once again, Wuyts believes the door isn’t closed on Van Aert’s dream of winning the Monument, provided his body holds up.

"On condition that his body can recover for another year without the misery of crashes. Then I still believe in that. But it is a fact that his explosiveness has been reduced by that crash in the Vuelta."

Van Aert himself acknowledged some of the physical effects still lingering from last season’s crash.

"He also admitted this winter that the power in his knee was less and for the time being less trainable. In the sprints he has done so far, it was not as explosive as before. Is that temporary? I assume so."