"For me Mathieu is above..." - Wout Van Aert puts van der Poel over Flandrien legend Tom Boonen

In a short video interview with Jan Bakelants, Wout Van Aert was asked a few questions regarding his future in pro cycling, Mathieu van der Poel and some other topics. Whilst short, it provided some insight into the Belgian's opinions and outlook into his career.

The Team Visma | Lease a Bike rider is heading into an important weekend, as he returns to the Tour of Flanders as the Dutch team's leader. With Christophe Laporte and Per Strand Hagenes by his side, Visma will look to disrupt, alongside Evenepoel, the absolute dominance of Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel who have gotten a hold of the race since 2022.

For over a decade now Van Aert has been competing against Mathieu van der Poel and when asked to compare the Dutchman with one of the modern legends of the classics, Tom Boonen, his answer did not take long: “Sorry Tom, but for me Mathieu is above him.”

With three Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders wins, all obtained since 2020 - alongside two Milano-Sanremo titles, a world title, a Strade Bianche, Tour de France stages, many other classics and of course also a record-breaking eight cyclocross world titles, it simply becomes hard for any modern rider to be compared to the Alpecin-Premier Tech rider.

As for Van Aert, there is still the idea of one day becoming World Champion on the road, a goal he will keep pursuing. “I hope so, yes.” However how long his career is a valid question, taking into consideration he is now 31 and has been at the top of the game for about a decade now; has had plenty serious injuries in serious years and a family at home.

He was asked by Bakelants if he would still be racing in five years and whilst the answer is not definitive, it hints at his current expectations: “The chance is greater that I will be than that I won’t". Van Aert currently has a lifetime contract with Visma, meaning he can continue racing for a long time still.