"I’m really excited to finally make my debut in the Giro d’Italia" - Wout van Aert announces Maglia Rosa intentions in bid to complete set of Grand Tour leaders jerseys

A wearer of the Maillot Jaune at the Tour de France and the Red Jersey at the Vuelta a Espana, Wout van Aert's main goal is a clear one as he prepares for a Giro d'Italia debut this month - get himself into the Maglia Rosa to complete his set of Grand Tour leaders jerseys.

After the official confirmation of Team Visma | Lease a Bike's lineup for the 2025 Giro d'Italia, Van Aert's name was a standout. One of the biggest names in the entire peloton, the Belgian has never before made his way to the start line at the Italian Grand Tour. Twelve months ago, Van Aert was pencilled in for a Giro debut, but a Spring crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen put an end to those ambitions. This time though, there is now nothing in the way of the 30-year-old from a ride around the Italian roads.

"I’m really excited to finally make my debut in the Giro d’Italia," Van Aert previews in quotes to a pre-Giro d'Italia preview on the official website of the Team Visma | Lease a Bike squad. "We all know what happened last year, so I’m especially glad to finally be here. Racing in Italy always gives me a special feeling.”

As mentioned, the main goal of Van Aert at this Grand Tour is to complete his set of Grand Tour leaders jerseys and in the process, hopefully also complete his set of Grand Tour stage wins. "That’s definitely a goal this month," he says of a potential stage win. "I’ve also worn the leader’s jersey in both the Tour and the Vuelta. It would be a dream to wear the pink jersey in the Giro as well.”

With Van Aert one of three established leaders alongside Olav Kooij and Simon Yates though, the Belgian will have to pick and choose the right moments to make his move. “For the flat sprints, Olav is our best chance at a stage win,” Van Aert explains. “It’s only logical that we support him in those stages, and I’ll do everything I can to position him well for the finish. Personally, I’m targeting the more demanding stages. That could mean a sprint from a reduced group or a long breakaway. The Giro traditionally offers plenty of those types of stages."