“He sometimes loses credit too quickly” – Wout van Aert hailed for Giro heroics after pivotal role in Simon Yates’ Maglia Rosa win

The 2025 Giro d’Italia may have ended in triumph for Simon Yates, but few would deny that Wout van Aert was one of the race’s most important figures. As Yates sealed a long-awaited Grand Tour win in Rome, van Aert’s contributions, both visible and tactical, were widely recognised by riders and pundits alike.

The Belgian star delivered a masterclass on Stage 20, waiting at the summit of the Colle delle Finestre and towing Yates down the descent and into a winning position. It was a selfless and decisive act that was crucial to Yates’ ultimate capture of the Maglia Rosa.

Van Aert also took a brilliant solo win earlier in the race on Stage 9, dominating the gravel roads around Siena, a performance that showed the Belgian is nearing a full return to his best form following a turbulent start to the season.

Speaking to In de Leiderstrui, Taco van der Hoorn summed up the admiration within the peloton: “What he did on Saturday, a rider of his stature does maybe once in his career and he shows it so often,” van der Hoorn said. “But this is not really new or anything. It is incredibly impressive, but everyone knows how strong he is. He has been that way for years and he will always remain that way.”

Van der Hoorn also defended van Aert against past criticism, “Van Aert is a super strong and fantastic rider, who was sometimes treated harshly in the press at bad times. You can see now what a difference he makes, he sometimes loses those credits too quickly.”

Fellow Visma | Lease a Bike rider Dylan van Baarle was equally full of praise, “I think there are not many riders like him, who do what he can,” said van Baarle. “He is always there for his leader at the important moments in a Grand Tour, while he also wins a stage himself and still pulls sprints. As a teammate he is invaluable.”

Lidl–Trek’s Daan Hoole, who won a stage at this year’s Giro, was stunned by van Aert’s physical performance on the mountains.

“If you get that far over that climb with that height and that weight, you really have to ride a lot of power,” Hoole said. “That is very impressive, especially after such a long stage. During the day you burn a lot more because of your weight, because you have to pedal more watts. That you can still make such an effort is absurd, really very strong.”

Hoole also spoke about the sheer energy demands of the final week, after Van Aert reportedly burnt over 7000 calories one day, “I have not been under 6,500 calories the last few days either. They are all big days, so you have to eat as much as you can. I am perhaps the heaviest rider in this Giro, so for me it was about surviving and getting through those days as best as I could.”