Wout van Aert on Tadej Pogacar: "He seems to continue where he left off in 2024"

Wout van Aert seemed to have a rough start to his 2025 season but at the Volta ao Algarve's time-trial, he put in a strong performance that puts worries to rest. Despite not showing good form since his debut at the Clásica Jaén Paraiso Interior, and having a questionable bike change at the Alto do Malhão unlike his rivals, the Belgian was only beaten by teammate Jonas Vingegaard. He looks towards Tadej Pogacar now.

“All in all it was a good week. The race was tough, because there were several WorldTour teams at the start. Every day it was a fight to try and get a result and I also felt that I was getting better every time," van Aert shared with VTM. The Belgian did some cyclocross racing in the winter and had a short break before starting his season on the road.

He comes off the Algarve with an enviable time-trial, comfortably beating the likes of João Almeida and Primoz Roglic on a course that finished with a very steep ascent. "Am I where I want to be? That's hard to say, because every year is different. After the Opening Weekend I will have a much clearer picture," he says.

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The Belgian had pointed out that the Opening Weekend would be his first meaningful goal of the season and he aims to lead Team Visma | Lease a Bike to a victory there. Whilst the Dutch team is suffering from some bad luck, they should still have a strong lineup for the Belgian cobbled classics.

As for van Aert himself, the form is improving but he is aware that there are still some aspects that need to be improved. "This week has been ideal, and I hardly feel any discomfort from my knee. My right knee remains my weakest, even more than before, so we are all working on that in the team. It was also good to spend time regaining confidence at being in a peloton."

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To Sporza, the Belgian was asked about Tadej Pogacar. "He seems to continue where he left off in 2024 and that was of course to be expected. But I think the guys who can make it difficult for him were not there in the UAE Tour". The two will face off at the E3 Saxo Classic and then of course, at the Tour of Flanders. If the World Champion decides to do so, then a duel at Paris-Roubaix will also take place - as long as van Aert can stay healthy, which has not always been the case in recent years.

But the victories in the monuments is what he really wants. "It has been mentioned a lot this winter, it would be strange if I didn't set that as a goal. I would find it a bit silly if I said that I'm just going to try to win Dwars door Vlaanderen and Brabantse Pijl. With the track record that I have and the opportunities that I have, I have to dare to aim high. And that means going for the two Monuments," he concluded.

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