“That was a truly special day in my life" - Wout van Aert recalls Hautacam heroics from 2022 Tour de France

Stage 12 of the 2025 Tour de France brings cycling's most iconic race back to Hautacam for what is set to be a potentially decisive summit finish this Thursday afternoon. The climb is one that has plenty of positive memories for Wout van Aert.

Back at the 2022 edition of the Tour, Van Aert put in probably the greatest single day performance of his entire career, emerging as the architect of Tadej Pogacar's downfall in the high mountains and setting team leader Jonas Vingegaard on the path to his first ever Tour de France win in the process. Ahead of his return to Hautacam, Van Aert has reflected on that day back in July 2022. 

“That was a truly special day in my life. I still enjoy rewatching that footage,” recalls the Team Visma | Lease a Bike star fondly in comments collected by HLN, admitting that even Pogacar is unlikely to have forgotten the sheer brutality of that infamous day. “And nor have I — my legs hurt for a long time after that effort,” Van Aert adds with a grin.

Now the big question is, can Van Aert play a similarly heroic and decisive role on Hautacam this time around as Vingegaard and Pogacar once again look set to lock horns in the fight for the Maillot Jaune.

“People think it’s a shit tactic. They wonder what we’re doing — we ride full gas all day and then Pogacar wins anyway. But we’re not chasing stage wins. We want to wear him down so we can strike in the third week,” explains a 'Visma insider' to HLN. “If you want to break someone, you do it gradually. Day after day, climb after climb.”

Visma acted out a similar tactic three years ago, with Pogacar ultimately cracking on Hautacam. As such, there is an ominous confidence with the Visma team and all eyes will be on the UAE leader this afternoon. “Racing is routine,” the source explains in conclusion. “Riders are creatures of habit, and eventually, you know your rivals’ habits too. When they start doing things differently, it means something’s wrong.”