“He has accomplished things that he can build on” – Wuyts sees promise for Wout van Aert ahead of the Giro d’Italia

Wout van Aert’s 2025 spring campaign hasn’t set the world on fire, but it has certainly been consistent. After returning from injury, the Belgian star put together a string of solid performances across the classics, even if that elusive major win remained out of reach.

Speaking on the HLN podcast ‘Wuyts & Vlaeminck’, cycling commentator Michel Wuyts reflected on Van Aert’s form and future prospects. “He will have gone into it with the feeling that it had to happen again,” said Wuyts, suggesting that the pressure to finally land a Monument win may have weighed heavily on Van Aert.

Van Aert’s results underline the steadiness of his spring: second at Dwars door Vlaanderen, fourth at the Tour of Flanders, fourth at Paris-Roubaix, second again at Brabantse Pijl, and a fourth-place finish at Amstel Gold Race. For most riders, that would constitute an exceptional campaign. But for Van Aert, expectations are always higher.

“But he shouldn't be too disappointed either,” Wuyts continued. “He has accomplished things that he can build on. The hope to do better in the rest of the season and next spring is legitimized.”

Next up for Van Aert is the Giro d’Italia, where he’ll aim to add new milestones to his already decorated career. Having won stages in both the Tour de France and Vuelta a España, and having worn the yellow and red leader’s jerseys, the Giro’s pink jersey remains a missing piece in his collection.

There are certainly opportunities. Several rolling stages and tricky finishes are perfectly suited to Van Aert’s skillset, and if he times things right, a stage win and a spell in pink could very much be on the cards.

Following the Giro, Van Aert is expected to line up at the Tour de France, where he’ll return to a more familiar role: supporting Team Visma | Lease a Bike leader Jonas Vingegaard. While the spring may not have delivered a defining victory, Van Aert’s versatility and resilience continue to make him one of the most valuable riders in the peloton, and there’s still plenty of 2025 left to write his story.