"The pieces haven't fallen into place yet" but Wout van Aert vows to continue stage win hunt for remainder of 2025 Tour de France

Team Visma | Lease a Bike have drawn the ire of some but their split goals at the 2025 Tour de France, as they attempt to balance Jonas Vingegaard’s Maillot Jaune challenge with a hunt for stage wins. With the Grand Tour now at its second rest day however, it doesn't seem like Wout van Aert plans to stop his stage win hunting any time soon.

The Belgian, who has won 9 stages of the Tour de France in his career, is yet to taste success at this edition. But with a 2nd placed finish on stage 8, a 5th on stage 11 and a 4th on the final day of the second week, Van Aert feels that win is coming.

"Actually, I feel pretty good. My level in the first week was somewhat affected by the illness I had the week before the Tour, but now, I'm actually feeling good," he explained in comments collected by Het Nieuwsblad from Team Visma | Lease a Bike's rest day press conference.

In particular, Van Aert has eyes for stage 21, where the traditional procession around Paris has this year been replaced by an Olympic-esque parcours including the challenging Montmartre climb.

"I think three mountain stages aren't really opportunities, but the other stages are. The final stage to Paris does have a finale that should suit me. The race will be driven by the peloton there, so you'll have more control," explained the Belgian. "I'm satisfied with the level I'm reaching, but I'm hoping for something more. I came close a few times, but I also felt a bit too far off. The pieces haven't fallen into place yet, but I can't really blame myself."

"Am I in the best shape? I'm in the shape I need to perform," Van Aert adds. "Usually, the last week is the week that suits me very well, because of the tiredness in everyone's legs. I already felt that last week in the mountains; it was going more smoothly."