"Wout will immediately move up a level" - Wout van Aert set to return to the top at the Giro d'Italia 2025?
Cycling
The countdown is nearly over. In just one week, the 2025
Giro d’Italia will roll out, and while Tadej Pogacar won’t be returning to
defend his title, anticipation is building for what looks set to be one of the
most competitive editions in recent years.
Pogacar’s absence is notable. Last year, the Slovenian
produced a performance for the ages, crushing the competition to win the pink
jersey by nearly ten minutes in what many now consider one of the most dominant
seasons in cycling history.
This year, the race will take on a different dynamic. In
place of Pogacar’s overwhelming presence is a stacked field featuring Primoz
Roglic, Juan Ayuso, Simon and Adam Yates, and for the first time, Wout van
Aert.
The Belgian powerhouse has previously won stages and worn
leader’s jerseys at both the Tour de France and Vuelta a España, but the Giro
has always remained just out of reach for his program. That changes in 2025, as
Van Aert finally lines up for Italy’s Grand Tour. The big question now is: can
he make an impact in pink?
The cycling world is desperate to see the Van Aert from the 2022 Tour de France return, but can this happen this month?
His lead-up to the race has been steady rather than
spectacular. Still working his way back to top form after a crash-marred 2024,
Van Aert’s spring campaign saw him finish fourth in a trio of major races—Flanders,
Roubaix, and Amstel Gold—while Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar dominated
the headlines.
As Jan Bakelants told Sporza, consistency isn’t the
same as victory, "If you finish 4th in a classic for 3 Sundays in a row,
you haven't broken away," he said. "But of course the bar is set very
high and Wout also sets the bar very high himself."
Despite the lack of podiums, Bakelants (who trains with Van
Aert) sensed a shift in his mindset after Amstel, "Wout was delighted with
that 4th place in the Amstel Gold Race. That was quite a boost. It was also the
only time he went home with the feeling that he could have achieved more."
That boost could come just in time. With a versatile route
and fewer clear favourites than last year, the Giro could play perfectly into
Van Aert’s hands "I think Wout will immediately move up a level in the
Giro peloton. He could ride a very good Giro and be one of the most dominant
riders.”
Read also
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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MarkFour07-11-2026 - This is a really interesting idea, which, if well prepared could even be very successful. Very little money needs to be involved for a first season and any success could lead to rapid interest from sponsors.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Seriously do you think when somebody gets into a serious accident, the ambulance is called by the hurt person?🤦 there is always a buddy system in place for a risky job. police , firefighters etc so that if someone gets hurt, the other call that in.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
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