“I am here to perform and I want to go for it” – Van Aert targets Tour de France stage 4 victory
Cycling
After a low-key start to his 2025 Tour de France campaign,
Wout van Aert is targeting a breakthrough on stage 4. Speaking before the start
in Amiens, the Belgian made it clear he’s aiming for the win on a course tailor
made for his characteristics.
“We need to be in a good position in the final, that will be
crucial on this technical course,” Van Aert told Het Nieuwsblad at the
start line today. “I hope to be a bit better than Sunday, but it will be on the
edge for the punchers. I felt good on the bike yesterday, so my confidence is
starting to grow. I am here to perform and I want to go for it.”
Today’s route from Amiens to Rouen features a demanding
finale with four categorized climbs in the last thirty kilometers, including
the Côte de Belbeuf, Côte de Bonsecours, Côte de Grand’Mare, and the brutal
Rampe Sant-Hillaire. It's a terrain that suits the likes of Van Aert, Mathieu
van der Poel, and Tadej Pogacar, and it means we should be set for a thrilling
day of racing.
Van der Poel claimed his first Tour stage win in four years
on stage 2, a result that hasn’t gone unnoticed by Van Aert, who has been
chasing his own tenth stage victory since 2022. Stage 4 could present one of
his best opportunities yet.
Van Aert also addressed the crash that ended Jasper
Philipsen’s Tour, showing visible empathy for his compatriot. "Of course
it is terrible what happened to Philipsen. It hurt my eyes when I rode past him
and every time I see the images, my stomach turns."
"I can now make a good estimate of what awaits him in
his rehabilitation. I wish him the best and hopefully he can race again
soon."
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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