Wout van Aert

{{Infobox cyclist

| name = Wout van Aert

| image = WVA Paris-Roubaix 2022.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Van Aert at the 2022 Paris–Roubaix

| fullname = Wout van Aert

| nickname =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|9|15|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Herentals, Belgium

| height = {{height|m=1.90}}{{cite web|url=https://www.teamjumbovisma.com/team/wout-van-aert/|title=Team Jumbo-Visma {{!}} Wout van Aert|work={{UCI team code|TLJ|2023}}|access-date=8 July 2023}}

| weight = {{convert|78|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=https://www.procyclingstats.com/rider/wout-van-aert|title=Wout van Aert|work=ProCyclingStats|access-date=15 July 2019}}

| currentteam = {{UCI team code|TLJ}}

| disciplines = {{unbulleted list|Cyclo-cross|Road}}

| role = Rider

| ridertype = {{unbulleted list|Sprinter|All-rounder (road)}}Rouleur
Time trialist
Classics specialist

| amateuryears1 = 2018–2019

| amateurteam1 = Cibel–Cebon Offroad Team{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/van-aert-to-race-cyclo-cross-season-with-cibel-cebon/|title=Van Aert to race cyclo-cross season with Cibel-Cebon|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=5 October 2018|access-date=4 January 2019}}

| proyears1 = 2013

| proteam1 = {{UCI team code|TFC|2013}}

| proyears2 = 2014–2016

| proteam2 = {{UCI team code|VGS|2014}}

| proyears3 = 2017–2018

| proteam3 = {{UCI team code|VWT|2017}}

| proyears4 = 2019–

| proteam4 = {{UCI team code|TLJ|2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.teamjumbovisma.com/longread/news/cheery-christmas-for-ambitious-team-jumbo-visma/|title=Cheery Christmas for ambitious Team Jumbo-Visma|work={{UCI team code|TLJ|2019}}|publisher=Team Oranje Road BV|date=21 December 2018|access-date=4 January 2019|archive-date=13 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413043945/https://www.teamjumbovisma.com/longread/news/cheery-christmas-for-ambitious-team-jumbo-visma/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bianchi.com/team-jumbo-visma-2020-roster-presented-in-amsterdam/|title=Team Jumbo-Visma 2020 roster presented in Amsterdam|work=Bianchi|publisher=F.I.V. Edoardo Bianchi S.p.A.|date=20 December 2019|access-date=2 January 2020}}

| majorwins = ;Cyclo-cross

:World Championships (2016, 2017, 2018)

:National Championships
(2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022)

:World Cup (2015–16, 2016–17, 2020–21)

::17 individual wins (2014–15—2018–19, 2020–21—2024–25)

:Trophy (2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17)

:Superprestige (2015–16)

;Road

Grand Tours

:Tour de France

::Points classification (2022)

::9 individual stages (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)

::1 TTT stage (2019)

::Combativity award (2022)

:Giro d’Italia

::Trofeo Bonacossa (2025)

::1 individual stage (2025)

:Vuelta a España

::3 individual stages (2024)

Stage races

:Tour of Britain (2021, 2023)

:Danmark Rundt (2018)

One-day races and Classics

:National Time Trial Championships
(2019, 2020, 2023)

:National Road Race Championships (2021)

:Milan–San Remo (2020)

:E3 Saxo Bank Classic (2022, 2023)

:Strade Bianche (2020)

:Gent–Wevelgem (2021)

:Amstel Gold Race (2021)

:Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (2022)

:Bretagne Classic (2022)

:Coppa Bernocchi (2023)

:Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne (2024)

| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{BEL}}}}

}}

Wout van Aert (born 15 September 1994) is a Belgian professional road and cyclo-cross racer who rides for UCI WorldTeam {{UCI team code|TJV}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.uci.org/road/teams/TeamDetail/15243/1000538/279|title=Jumbo-Visma|work=UCI.org|publisher=Union Cycliste Internationale|access-date=2 January 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210102145838/https://www.uci.org/road/teams/TeamDetail/15243/1000538/279|archive-date=2 January 2021}} Van Aert won three consecutive men's races at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in 2016,{{cite web |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/uci-cyclo-cross-world-championships-2016/elite-men/results/ |title=Van Aert takes emotional World Championship victory |date=31 January 2016 |website=cyclingnews.com |access-date=31 January 2016}} 2017, and 2018.

Having initially prioritised competing in cyclo-cross, Van Aert terminated his contract with {{UCI team code|VWC|2018}} in 2018 and joined {{UCI team code|TLJ|2019|nolink=yes}} in March 2019, on a three-year deal.{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/van-aert-joins-team-jumbo-visma-from-march-2019/|title=Van Aert joins Team Jumbo-Visma from March 2019|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=18 December 2018|access-date=4 January 2019}} Van Aert has since taken more than forty professional road wins, including nine stage victories at the Tour de France between 2019 and 2022 (also winning the points classification in 2022), and won Milan–San Remo – one of the five Cycling monuments – in 2020.

Following the 2022 Tour de France, where Van Aert won three stages, several media outlets labeled him as "one of the most complete cyclists of his generation".{{Cite news|title=Ook buitenlandse media zien van Aert als de meest complete renner ter wereld: "Niet meer gezien sinds Hinault en Merckx"|language=nl-BE|trans-title=Foreign media also see van Aert as the most complete rider in the world: "Not seen since Hinault and Merckx"|url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20220725_92754048|date=25 July 2022|access-date=29 January 2023|website=Het Nieuwsblad}} His rivalry with Mathieu van der Poel in cyclo-cross is considered among the greatest and longest lasting rivalries in the sport.{{cite news|url=https://www.welovecycling.com/wide/2023/04/12/van-aert-vs-van-der-poel-a-rivalry-for-the-ages/|title=Van Aert vs. Van der Poel: A Rivalry for the Ages|work=welovecycling.com|publisher=Siegfried Mortkowitz|date=12 April 2023|access-date=6 September 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/wout-van-aert-v-mathieu-van-der-poel-a-truly-rare-and-iconic-sporting-rivalry|title=Wout van Aert v. Mathieu van der Poel - a truly rare and iconic sporting rivalry|work=cyclingweekly.com|publisher=Tom Thewlis|date=7 February 2023|access-date=6 September 2023}}

Career

=Early career=

File:2016 Cauberg Cyclocross IMG 9836 (30813533760).jpg (right) at the 2016 UCI Cyclocross World Cup. Valkenburg, Netherlands, 2016.]]

Van Aert was born in Herentals, Flanders, into a family not involved in bike racing. One of his father's cousins is Dutch former professional cyclist Jos van Aert.{{cite web |url=https://www.rouleur.cc/blogs/the-rouleur-journal/wout-van-aert |title=Wout van Aert: Comeback Kid |last=Nilsson-Julien |first=Olivier |date=5 January 2021 |website=Rouleur|access-date=11 July 2021}} He started his career in cyclo-cross where he became World champion (2016, 2017, 2018) and Belgian champion (2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022).

He rode the 2018 Strade Bianche, held partly on gravel roads in torrential rain. He broke away with Romain Bardet ({{UCI team code|ALM|2018}}) and the pair led the race for much of the final {{convert|40|km|abbr=off}} before Tiesj Benoot ({{UCI team code|LTS|2018}}) attacked from a chasing group to catch and then drop them in the final sector of dirt roads. Benoot soloed to victory by 39 seconds ahead of Bardet,{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/tiesj-benoot-puts-super-show-strength-win-2018-strade-bianche-371423|title=Tiesj Benoot puts in super show of strength to win 2018 Strade Bianche|first=Richard|last=Windsor|work=Cycling Weekly|date=3 March 2018|access-date=3 March 2018}} who dropped Van Aert in the final kilometre; Van Aert ultimately finished third, 19 seconds behind, despite falling on the final climb in Siena.

Over a two-year period with {{UCI team code|VWC|2017}} in 2017 and 2018, he took five victories, and also won a bronze medal at the 2018 European Road Cycling Championships in Glasgow, losing out to Matteo Trentin and Mathieu van der Poel in a sprint finish from a small group.{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/cycling/news/21683/11471102/italys-matteo-trentin-wins-european-continental-championship-road-race-in-glasgow|title=Italy's Matteo Trentin wins European Continental Championship road race in Glasgow|work=Sky Sports|publisher=Sky UK|date=12 August 2018|accessdate=5 June 2023}}

==Transfer 2018-19==

Van Aert rode with the {{UCI team code|VWC|2018}} team during road races in 2018. Over the year, he expressed dissatisfaction with the news that the team was set to merge with {{UCI team code|RNL|2018}} for 2019. Having already signed a contract to ride with {{UCI team code|TLJ|2018}} from 2020 onwards, he terminated his contract with {{UCI team code|VWC|2018|nolink=yes}} in September 2018. Were he to join another team for 2019, Sniper Cycling – the owners of the {{UCI team code|VWC|2018|nolink=yes}} team – were said to be demanding €500,000 in compensation. {{UCI team code|TLJ|2018|nolink=yes}} were reported to be interested in signing Van Aert a year earlier than originally agreed,{{cite web |title=Wout van Aert's lawyer expects UCI to allow rider to race in 2019 |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wout-van-aerts-lawyer-expects-uci-to-allow-rider-to-race-in-2019/ |website=cyclingnews.com |access-date=13 November 2018 |date=13 November 2018}} and confirmation of the transfer was announced in December 2018, with Van Aert joining the team from 1 March 2019.

=Jumbo–Visma (2019–present)=

File:Wout van Aert Reims 95554.jpg]]

==2019 - career-threatening crash==

In June, Van Aert won two stages and the green jersey in the Critérium du Dauphiné, became national time trial champion, and won the bronze medal in the road race at the national championship. In July, he was named in the startlist for the Tour de France.{{Cite web|url=https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/tour-de-france/2019/gc/startlist|title=2019: 106th Tour de France: Start List |access-date=1 July 2019|work=ProCyclingStats}} On 15 July, Van Aert won Stage 10 from Saint-Flour to Albi, in a sprint finish ahead of Elia Viviani and Caleb Ewan.{{Cite web | url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-de-france-van-aert-raises-his-own-bar-with-exceptional-sprint-win/ |title = Tour de France: Van Aert raises his own bar with exceptional sprint win| date=15 July 2019 }} Four days later, he had a crash during the individual time trial stage in Pau,{{cite news|first=Alex|last=Ballinger|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/wout-van-aert-set-leave-hospital-pau-four-days-tour-de-france-crash-432315|title=Wout van Aert set to leave hospital in Pau four days after Tour de France crash|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=TI Media|date=23 July 2019|accessdate=5 June 2023}} and was forced to abandon the race due to his injuries.

Van Aert later told newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws that the crash was so severe that it could have ended his career, worsened by a mistake during his surgery, when doctors did not properly work on one of his tendons.{{cite news |last1=Audoore |first1=Bart |title=Wout van Aert mist zijn fiets: "Een klein toertje zou al deugd doen" |url=https://www.hln.be/sport/wielrennen/wout-van-aert-mist-zijn-fiets-een-klein-toertje-zou-al-deugd-doen~a9d5de47/ |access-date=5 September 2019 |work=Het Laatste Nieuws |date=4 September 2019 |language=nl|trans-title=Wout van Aert misses his bike: "A small tour would be good"}}{{cite news |last1=Long |first1=Jonny |title=Wout van Aert says Tour de France crash 'could have been the end of my career' |url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/wout-van-aert-says-tour-de-france-crash-end-career-436615 |access-date=5 September 2019 |work=Cycling Weekly |date=5 September 2019}}

It was not known at the time whether he would recover for the cyclo-cross season or even the classics at the start of the 2020 road cycling season.{{cite web |title=Tour de France: Van Aert crashes out of time trial |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-de-france-van-aert-crashes-out-of-time-trial/ |website=cyclingnews.com |access-date=5 September 2019 |date=19 July 2019}}

In November, Van Aert won the Flandrien of the Year award.{{cite news |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/van-aert-wins-flandrien-of-the-year-award/ |title=Van Aert wins Flandrien of the Year award |work=cyclingnews.com |date=5 November 2019 |access-date=8 November 2019}}

He made his return to racing at the Azencross cyclo-cross event just after Christmas, finishing fifth.{{cite news|first=Rob|last=Sturney|url=https://cyclingmagazine.ca/cyclocross/wout-van-aert-returns-to-racing-five-months-after-tour-de-france-crash/|title=Wout Van Aert returns to racing five months after Tour de France crash|work=Canadian Cycling|publisher=Gripped Publishing Inc.|date=27 December 2019|accessdate=5 June 2023}}

==2020 - Milan San-Remo victory==

File:2020 Tour de France Stage 20 (50363458131).jpg]]

Van Aert made his return to road racing at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad – having not been expected to ride in the race{{cite news|first=Patrick|last=Fletcher|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/van-aert-parachuted-into-omloop-het-nieuwsblad-amid-coronavirus-fears/|title=Van Aert parachuted into Omloop Het Nieuwsblad amid coronavirus fears|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=26 February 2020|accessdate=5 June 2023}} – just missing the top-ten placings in eleventh.{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/results/cycling/omloop-het-nieuwsblad/865176/results/|title=Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2020|website=RTÉ|date=29 February 2020|accessdate=5 June 2023}} However, this would be his only race day prior to the enforced suspension of racing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On 1 August, Van Aert won the first rescheduled UCI World Tour race to be held following the COVID-19 pandemic, Strade Bianche after attacking solo with around {{convert|13|km|abbr=off}} remaining.{{cite web|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/strade-bianche-2020/elite-men/results/|title=Wout van Aert storms to victory at Strade Bianche|first1=Sadhbh|last1=O'Shea|first2=Daniel|last2=Ostanek|first3=Kirsten|last3=Frattini|work=Cyclingnews.com|date=1 August 2020|access-date=1 August 2020}} The following week, Van Aert won the rescheduled Milan–San Remo after outsprinting French rider Julian Alaphilippe, the defending champion, of {{UCI team code|DQT|2020}}, in a two-up sprint, after the duo had broken away from the peloton on the descent of the Poggio di San Remo.{{cite web|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/milan-san-remo-2020/milan-san-remo/results/|title=Wout van Aert wins thrilling Milan–San Remo|first=Daniel|last=Ostanek|work=Cyclingnews.com|date=8 August 2020|access-date=8 August 2020}}

On 2 September, he won the fifth stage of the Tour de France from Gap to Privas, in an uphill sprint.{{cite news|first=Stephen|last=Farrand|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2020/stage-5/results/|title=Tour de France: Van Aert wins stage 5|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=2 September 2020|accessdate=5 June 2023}} He also won the sprint in the seventh stage from Millau to Lavaur.{{cite news|first=Julien|last=Pretot|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cycling-france-van-aert-idCAKBN25V2JE|title=Leader turned domestique Van Aert still bossing the Tour|work=Reuters|publisher=Thomson Reuters|date=4 September 2020|accessdate=5 June 2023}} At the UCI Road World Championships in Imola, Van Aert won the silver medal in both the individual time trial and in the road race.{{cite news|first=Jonny|last=Long|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/wout-van-aert-disappointed-with-worlds-results-silver-twice-that-hits-hard-470526|title=Wout van Aert 'disappointed' with Worlds results: 'Silver twice, that hits hard'|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=TI Media|date=28 September 2020|accessdate=5 June 2023}}

==2021 - Tour de France stage win hat-trick==

File:2021 AGR finish Wout van Aert3.jpg, beating Tom Pidcock in a two-up sprint, ultimately decided in a photo finish.]]

Van Aert started the 2021 road season on 6 March at Strade Bianche and came in fourth place.{{cite news|url=https://velo.outsideonline.com/news/road/wout-van-aert-off-the-podium-and-off-the-pace-at-strade-bianche/|title=Wout van Aert off the podium and off the pace at Strade Bianche|website=VeloNews|date=6 March 2021|accessdate=5 June 2023}}

He then rode Tirreno–Adriatico with overall aspirations, winning the opening stage in a bunch sprint ahead of elite sprinters like Caleb Ewan and Elia Viviani.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/cycling-van-aert-wins-tirreno-adriatico-opening-stage-2021-03-10/|title=Cycling-Van Aert wins Tirreno-Adriatico opening stage|work=Reuters|publisher=Thomson Reuters|date=10 March 2021|accessdate=5 June 2023}} After consistent and strong performances in the rest of the race, including a victory in the last stage, a {{convert|10.1|km|abbr=off|adj=on}} individual time trial,{{cite news|first=Tim|last=Bonville-Ginn|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/wout-van-aert-beats-filippo-ganna-to-take-stage-seven-time-trial-of-tirreno-adriatico-2021-493637|title=Wout van Aert takes final stage of Tirreno-Adriatico 2021 as Tadej Pogačar seals overall victory|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=Future plc|date=16 March 2021|accessdate=5 June 2023}} he managed to win the points classification and finish second in the general classification behind 2020 Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar.{{cite news|first=Daniel|last=Ostanek|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tirreno-adriatico-2021/stage-7/results/|title=Tirreno-Adriatico: Wout van Aert beats Filippo Ganna in closing time trial|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=16 March 2021|accessdate=5 June 2023}}

After Tirreno–Adriatico, Van Aert came third in Milan–San Remo behind Jasper Stuyven and Ewan.{{cite news|first=Felix|last=Lowe|url=https://www.eurosport.com/cycling/milano-sanremo/2021/milan-san-remo-2021-jasper-stuyven-stuns-big-guns-to-claim-thrilling-win-at-milan-san-remo_sto8185124/story.shtml|title=Milan-San Remo 2021: Jasper Stuyven stuns big guns, Caleb Ewan and Wout van Aert on podium|work=Eurosport|publisher=Discovery, Inc.|date=20 March 2021|accessdate=5 June 2023}}

On 28 March Van Aert sprinted to victory in Gent-Wevelgem after making the winning selection during the early stages of the race.{{cite news|first=Stephen|last=Puddicombe|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/gent-wevelgem-2021/elite-men/results/|title=Wout van Aert wins Gent-Wevelgem|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=28 March 2021|accessdate=5 June 2023}}

On 18 April Van Aert won the Amstel Gold Race after a two-up sprint with Tom Pidcock, which was ultimately decided by a photo finish.{{cite news|first=Jonny|last=Long|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/wout-van-aert-beats-tom-pidcock-in-photo-finish-at-amstel-gold-race-2021-496690|title=Wout van Aert beats Tom Pidcock in photo finish at Amstel Gold Race 2021|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=Future plc|date=18 April 2021|accessdate=5 June 2023}}

File:Undécima etapa del Tour de Francia 2021- Mont Ventoux- escape victoriosa de Wout van Aert DVPT.jpg on Stage 11 of the 2021 Tour de France]]

On 7 July Van Aert won Stage 11 of the Tour de France by attacking on the last climb of Mont Ventoux, over {{convert|32|km|abbr=off}} from the finish.{{cite news|first=Patrick|last=Fletcher|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2021/stage-11/results/|title=Tour de France: Wout van Aert wins Mont Ventoux stage 11|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=7 July 2021|accessdate=5 June 2023}} Afterwards Van Aert said this victory on such an iconic mountain stage "may be the best victory of my career".{{cite news|url=https://www.letour.fr/en/news/2021/wout-van-aert-the-biggest-of-my-tour-de-france-wins/1296090|title=Wout van Aert: "The biggest of my Tour de France wins"|work=Tour de France|publisher=Amaury Sport Organisation|date=7 July 2021|accessdate=5 June 2023}} On 17 July, Van Aert won Stage 20, which was a {{convert|30.8|km|abbr=off|adj=on}} individual time trial, in the time of 35 minutes, 53 seconds.{{cite news|first=Daniel|last=Benson|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2021/stage-20/results/|title=Tour de France: Van Aert storms to victory as Pogacar seals his second overall title|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=17 July 2021|accessdate=5 June 2023}} The following day, Van Aert won the {{convert|108.4|km|abbr=off|adj=on}} final stage of the race to take his third stage win at the race, crossing the finish line on the Champs-Élysées, ahead of Jasper Philipsen and Mark Cavendish.{{cite news|first=Tom|last=Owen|url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/cycling/tour-de-france/2021/tour-de-france-2021-wout-van-aert-wins-as-mark-cavendish-denied-record-on-champs-elysees_sto8424918/story.shtml|title=Tour de France 2021 – Wout van Aert wins as Mark Cavendish denied outright record on Champs-Elysees|work=Eurosport|publisher=Discovery, Inc.|date=18 July 2021|accessdate=5 June 2023}} After the race, Van Aert said that his results were "priceless",{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/cycling/news/21683/12358676/tour-de-france-2021-wout-van-aert-denies-mark-cavendish-taking-record-breaking-stage-win|title=Tour de France 2021: Wout van Aert denies Mark Cavendish taking record-breaking stage win|work=Sky Sports|publisher=Sky UK|date=19 July 2021|accessdate=5 June 2023}} as he became the first rider to win a mountain stage, an individual time trial and a bunch sprint in the same Tour since Bernard Hinault in 1979.{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cycling/tour-de-france-2021-pogacar-cavendish-b1886206.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cycling/tour-de-france-2021-pogacar-cavendish-b1886206.html |archive-date=2022-05-07 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Tour de France 2021: Tadej Pogacar wins as Mark Cavendish just misses out on stage record |last=Parker |first=Ian |date=18 July 2021 |website=independent.co.uk |access-date=19 July 2021}}{{cbignore}}

In the Olympic road race he finished 1 minute, 7 seconds behind winner Richard Carapaz but won the sprint in the chasing group, earning the silver medal.{{cite web |last1=Benson |first1=Daniel |title=Olympics: Richard Carapaz claims men's road race title |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/olympic-games-2021/men-s-road-race/results/ |website=Cycling News |date=24 July 2021 |publisher=Future |access-date=24 July 2021}}

In September, Van Aert won the Tour of Britain including 4 stages.{{cite web |last1=Bull |first1=Nick|title=Wout van Aert crowned 2021 AJ Bell Tour of Britain champion in Aberdeen |url=https://www.tourofbritain.co.uk/wout-van-aert-crowned-2021-aj-bell-tour-of-britain-champion-in-aberdeen/ |website=Tour of Britain |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=14 September 2021}}

Later the same month, at the UCI Road World Championships, he earned the silver medal in the individual time trial.{{cite web|url=https://www.tissottiming.com/File/0003130216010601FFFFFFFFFFFFFF02|title=Final Results / Résultat final: Men Elite Individual Time Trial|work=Tissot Timing|publisher=Tissot|date=20 September 2021|accessdate=19 September 2021}}

==2022 - Tour points classification victory==

Van Aert started the 2022 road season with a win in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad after a {{convert|13|km|abbr=off|adj=on}} solo attack.{{cite news|first=Stephen|last=Puddicombe|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/omloop-het-nieuwsblad-2022/elite-men/results/|title=Wout Van Aert takes solo victory at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=26 February 2022|accessdate=5 June 2023}} He then won the time trial in Paris–Nice,{{cite news|first=Patrick|last=Fletcher|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/paris-nice-2022/stage-4/results/|title=Van Aert moves into Paris-Nice lead with time trial victory|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=9 March 2022|accessdate=5 June 2023}} as well as the points classification.{{cite news|url=https://www.teamjumbovisma.com/race-report/news/roglic-takes-overall-victory-paris-nice-after-exciting-final-stage/|title=Roglic takes overall victory Paris-Nice after exciting final stage|work={{UCI team code|TJV|2022}}|publisher=Team Oranje Road BV|date=13 March 2022|accessdate=5 June 2023}} In the first monument of the year, Milan–San Remo, Van Aert came 8th.{{cite news|first=Daniel|last=Ostanek|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/milan-san-remo-2022/elite-men/results/|title=Matej Mohoric wins Milan-San Remo with daring Poggio descent|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=19 March 2022|accessdate=5 June 2023}} He then won the E3 Saxo Bank Classic in an uncontested sprint with teammate Christophe Laporte, after the duo attacked together on the Paterberg with {{convert|40|km|abbr=off}} remaining to the finish in Harelbeke; they finished the race over 90 seconds ahead of the next group.{{cite news|first1=Stephen|last1=Farrand|first2=Daniel|last2=Ostanek|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/e3-saxo-bank-classic-2022/elite-men/results/|title=Van Aert, Laporte go 1-2 for Jumbo-Visma at E3 Saxo Bank Classic|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=25 March 2022|accessdate=5 June 2023}} In the lead-up to the Tour of Flanders, Van Aert tested positive for COVID-19,{{cite news|first=Alexander|last=Netherton|url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/cycling/ronde-van-vlaanderen/2022/ronde-van-vlaanderen-2022-there-is-no-chance-wout-van-aert-confirms-tour-of-flanders-forfeit-due-to-_sto8868642/story.shtml|title=Ronde van Vlaanderen 2022: 'There is no chance' - Wout van Aert confirms Tour of Flanders absence due to Covid-19|work=Eurosport|publisher=Discovery, Inc.|date=1 April 2022|accessdate=5 June 2023}} and missed the race along with the subsequent Amstel Gold Race. After two weeks without racing, Van Aert returned with a second place in Paris–Roubaix.{{cite news|first1=Daniel|last1=Ostanek|first2=Barry|last2=Ryan|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/paris-roubaix-2022/elite-men/results/|title=Dylan van Baarle wins thrilling Paris-Roubaix|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=17 April 2022|accessdate=5 June 2023}} A week later, he came third on his debut in the Ardennes monument Liège–Bastogne–Liège.{{cite news |last1=Ryan |first1=Barry |title=Remco Evenepoel wins Liège–Bastogne–Liège |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/liege-bastogne-liege-2022/elite-men/results/ |access-date=2 May 2022 |work=Cyclingnews.com |date=24 April 2022}}

File:TDF30284 van aert (52243449618).jpg leader at the 2022 Tour de France. He won three stages during the race, and won the points classification.]]

Van Aert started off the Tour de France with three second-place finishes on the three stages to be held in Denmark,{{cite news|first=Rob|last=Sturney|url=https://cyclingmagazine.ca/sections/news/2022-tour-de-france-van-aert-leaves-denmark-with-three-runner-up-spots-and-yellow-jersey/|title=2022 Tour de France: Van Aert leaves Denmark with three runner-up spots and yellow jersey|work=Canadian Cycling|publisher=Gripped Publishing Inc.|date=3 July 2022|accessdate=5 June 2023}} and thus held the yellow and green jerseys as the race returned to French soil. Stage 4 was expected to be another bunch sprint finish, but with 10 kilometres to go {{UCI team code|TJV|2022}} orchestrated an attack up the final climb of the day, the {{convert|900|m|abbr=off|adj=on}} ascent up Cote du Cap Blanc-Nez. At the top of the climb, Van Aert broke free and rode solo to the finish, with enough time in hand for a bird-like celebration as he crossed the finish line.{{Cite web |first=Daniel|last=Ostanek |date=5 July 2022 |title=Sprinters foiled by Wout van Aert on stage 4 of the Tour de France |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sprinters-foiled-by-wout-van-aert-on-stage-4-of-the-tour-de-france/ |access-date=5 July 2022 |website=cyclingnews.com }}{{cite news|first=Ryan|last=Dabbs|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/why-is-wout-van-aert-allowed-to-wear-a-red-bull-helmet-and-did-he-really-want-to-show-that-the-jersey-gives-me-wings|title=Why is Wout Van Aert allowed to wear a Red Bull helmet - and did he really want to show that 'the jersey gives me wings'?|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=Future plc|date=7 July 2022|accessdate=5 June 2023}} Eurosport analyst and former professional cyclist Adam Blythe commented that he had "never seen a rider do that in the yellow jersey", and NBC Sports commentator Phil Liggett said that the attack reminded him of Eddy Merckx.{{cite news|first=Ben|last=Snowball|url=https://www.eurosport.com/cycling/tour-de-france/2022/im-in-shock-wout-van-aert-lauded-for-demolishing-peloton-on-stage-4-at-tour-de-france_sto9021099/story.shtml|title='I'm in shock!' – Wout van Aert lauded for 'demolishing peloton' at Tour de France|work=Eurosport|publisher=Warner Bros. Discovery|date=5 July 2022|access-date=6 July 2022}}{{cite news|first=Nick|last=Zaccardi|url=https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2022/07/05/wout-van-aert-tour-de-france-stage/|title=Wout van Aert wins Tour de France stage 4; Jasper Philipsen thought he won|work=NBC Sports|publisher=NBC|date=5 July 2022|access-date=6 July 2022|archive-date=5 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705165808/https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2022/07/05/wout-van-aert-tour-de-france-stage/|url-status=dead}} He lost the yellow jersey on stage six, after forcing the breakaway with Quinn Simmons and Jakob Fuglsang (later dropping both), he was eventually caught and dropped; he was designated as the most aggressive rider on the stage.{{cite news|first=Patrick|last=Fletcher|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wout-van-aert-loses-yellow-jersey-but-goes-down-swinging/|title=Wout van Aert loses yellow jersey but goes down swinging|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=8 July 2022|accessdate=5 June 2023|quote=However, he did end up with the combativity award, a result no one could argue with.}}

Stage 8 looked to be a day for a breakaway to win, but {{UCI team code|TJV|2022|nolink=yes}} kept it in check and the stage ended in an uphill bunch sprint in Lausanne, with Michael Matthews and yellow jersey holder Tadej Pogačar leading it out. Van Aert at first appeared blocked in, but when a gap appeared, he surged to his second win in the race and his eighth stage win overall.{{cite web |last1=Weislo |first1=Laura |title=Tour de France: Van Aert surges to stage 8 victory in Lausanne |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-france-2022/stage-8/results/ |website=cyclingnews.com |access-date=9 July 2022 |date=9 July 2022}} Two further top-ten finishes in the second week extended his points classification lead, and early in the final week, had an unassailable lead with more than double the points of Pogačar, who was second.{{cite news|first=Barry|last=Ryan|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wout-van-aert-seals-at-tour-de-france-points-classification-four-days-before-paris/|title=Van Aert seals Tour de France green jersey four days before Paris|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=20 July 2022|accessdate=5 June 2023}} On stage 18, which ended with a mountaintop finish on Hautacam, Van Aert attacked at kilometre zero. He was brought back, but then attacked again in the following breakaways and essentially stayed away all day. On the final climb he broke the final two breakaway riders in Thibaut Pinot and Daniel Martínez, and assisted in the pacing for his teammate and race leader Jonas Vingegaard against Pogačar.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/cycling/58917773|title=Tour de France – Vingegaard wins stage 18 – live text|first=Harry|last=Poole|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 July 2022|access-date=22 July 2022}} He won the individual time trial on stage 20,{{cite news|first=Jack|last=Elton-Walters|url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/tour-de-france-2022-wout-van-aert-wins-stage-20-time-trial-as-jonas-vingegaard-seals-overall-victory|title=Tour de France 2022: Wout van Aert wins Stage 20 time-trial as Jonas Vingegaard seals overall victory|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=Future plc|date=24 July 2022|accessdate=5 June 2023}} and was named the race's most aggressive rider, winning the combativity award.{{cite web|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wout-van-aert-named-the-tours-most-combative-rider/|title=Wout van Aert named the Tour's most combative rider|first=Dane|last=Cash|publisher=cyclingnews.com|date=23 July 2022|access-date=23 July 2022}} On the final day in Paris he crossed the finish line about a minute after the sprinters, together with his surviving teammates; with Van Aert winning the green jersey and Vingegaard winning the yellow jersey, {{UCI team code|TJV|2022|nolink=yes}} became the first team to win both jerseys since German riders Jan Ullrich and Erik Zabel in 1997, with {{UCI team code|TMO|1997}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/van-aert-ends-pogacars-tour-de-france-hopes-with-decisive-turn-on-hautacam/|title=Van Aert ends Pogacar's Tour de France hopes with decisive turn on Hautacam|first=Barry|last=Ryan|publisher=cyclingnews.com|date=21 July 2022|access-date=22 July 2022|quote=On Sunday, Jumbo-Visma will become the first team to ride into Paris with the yellow and green jerseys since Telekom did so with Jan Ullrich and Erik Zabel in 1997.}}

Following the Tour de France, Van Aert was outsprinted by Marco Haller in his next start, at the Hamburg Cyclassics,{{cite news|url=https://velo.outsideonline.com/news/road/marco-haller-surprises-wout-van-aert-in-reduced-sprint-victory-at-bemer-cyclassics/|title=Marco Haller surprises Wout van Aert in reduced sprint victory at Bemer Cyclassics|website=VeloNews|date=21 August 2022|accessdate=5 June 2023}} before he won the Bretagne Classic Ouest-France in a sprint from approximately twenty riders.{{cite news|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/bretagne-classic-ouest-france-2022/elite-men/results/|title=Wout van Aert sprints to Bretagne Classic-Ouest France victory|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=28 August 2022|accessdate=5 June 2023}} He was amongst the leading riders in both the Laurentian classics held in Canada, finishing fourth in the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec,{{cite news|first=Andrew|last=Hood|url=https://velo.outsideonline.com/news/road/wout-van-aert-stymied-in-rare-misfire-at-gp-quebec-we-chose-to-gamble/|title=Wout van Aert stymied in rare misfire at GP Québec: 'We chose to gamble'|website=VeloNews|date=9 September 2022|accessdate=5 June 2023}} and lost out to Pogačar in the closing metres at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal.{{cite news|first=Stephen|last=Farrand|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wout-van-aert-beaten-in-montreal-but-ever-more-confident-for-world-championships/|title=Wout van Aert beaten in Montreal but ever more confident for World Championships|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=12 September 2022|accessdate=5 June 2023}} Having won the silver medal in the previous two editions of the time trial at the UCI Road World Championships, Van Aert did not contest the 2022 edition, with his sole focus in Wollongong being the road race.{{cite news|first=Barry|last=Ryan|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wout-van-aert-opts-out-of-world-championship-time-trial-to-focus-on-road-race/|title=Wout Van Aert opts out of World Championship time trial to focus on road race|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=3 August 2022|accessdate=5 June 2023}} He ultimately finished the race just off the podium in fourth place, setting the pace prior to the successful solo move by his compatriot, Remco Evenepoel.{{cite news|first=Alasdair|last=Fotheringham|authorlink=Alasdair Fotheringham|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/van-aert-fourth-after-rock-solid-teammate-role-for-world-champion-evenepoel/|title=Van Aert fourth after rock-solid teammate role for World Champion Evenepoel|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=25 September 2022|accessdate=5 June 2023}}

During the 2022 Tour de France, Netflix filmed a documentary titled Tour de France: Unchained following the riders and teams through the tour including Van Aert and {{UCI team code|TJV|2022}}.{{Cite web |author1=Stephen Farrand |date=2023-06-08 |title=Tour de France: Unchained review - An addictive and entertaining Netflix series |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/tour-de-france-unchained-review-an-addictive-and-entertaining-netflix-series/ |access-date=2023-06-22 |website=cyclingnews.com |language=en}} Van Aert has commented that he disagrees with how he is portrayed in the series, stating that the series "focused on commotion".{{Cite web |date=2023-06-14 |title=Is the Depiction of Wout Van Aert in 'Tour de France: Unchained' Accurate? He Doesn't Think So. |url=https://www.bicycling.com/news/a44200321/depiction-of-wout-van-aert-in-tour-de-france-unchained/ |access-date=2023-06-22 |website=Bicycling |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Barry |last2=published |first2=Daniel Ostanek |date=2023-06-12 |title='Focused on commotion' - Wout van Aert critical of Netflix Tour de France series |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/focused-on-commotion-wout-van-aert-critical-of-netflix-tour-de-france-series/ |access-date=2023-06-22 |website=cyclingnews.com |language=en}}

==2023 - silver at World and European championships==

File:2023 ToB stage 8 - 071 Wout van Aert.JPG]]

Van Aert won the silver medal at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships at Hoogerheide, after losing out in a battle with Mathieu van der Poel.{{cite news|first=Ben|last=Goddard|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wout-van-aert-expecting-to-be-in-second-position-i-forgot-to-ride-my-own-sprint/|title=Wout van Aert: Expecting to be in second position, I forgot to ride my own sprint|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=5 February 2023|accessdate=5 June 2023}}

After commencing his 2023 road season at Tirreno–Adriatico,{{cite news|first=Nigel|last=Chiu|url=https://www.eurosport.com/cycling/strade-bianche-1/2023/wout-van-aert-to-miss-strade-bianche-as-illness-delays-his-road-season-will-begin-campaign-at-tirren_sto9436047/story.shtml|title=Wout van Aert to miss Strade Bianche as illness delays his road season, will begin campaign at Tirreno-Adriatico|work=Eurosport|publisher=Warner Bros. Discovery|date=27 February 2023|accessdate=5 June 2023}} Van Aert took five consecutive podium finishes in one-day UCI World Tour races. At Milan–San Remo, Van der Poel attacked on the Poggio di San Remo, leaving his main rivals behind; Van Aert was also beaten to the line by Filippo Ganna, as he finished in third place.{{cite news|first1=Stephen|last1=Farrand|first2=Alasdair|last2=Fotheringham|authorlink2=Alasdair Fotheringham|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/milan-san-remo-2023/elite-men/results/|title=Milan-San Remo: Mathieu van der Poel ignites Poggio descent for solo victory|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=18 March 2023|accessdate=5 June 2023}} He then won in Harelbeke for the second year in succession with victory in the E3 Saxo Classic, beating Van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar, despite his rivals' best attempts to distance him.{{cite news|first=Ben|last=Snowball|url=https://www.eurosport.com/cycling/e3-classic/2023/wout-van-aert-snatches-victory-at-e3-saxo-classic-as-mathieu-van-der-poel-and-tadej-pogacar-attacks-_sto9528685/story.shtml|title=Wout van Aert snatches victory at E3 Saxo Classic as Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar attacks fail|work=Eurosport|publisher=Warner Bros. Discovery|date=27 February 2023|accessdate=5 June 2023}} At Gent–Wevelgem, Van Aert and Christophe Laporte repeated their performance from the 2022 E3 Saxo Bank Classic by finishing 1–2 after a {{convert|50|km|abbr=off|adj=on}} move, with Laporte taking victory on this occasion.{{cite news|first=Daniel|last=Ostanek|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/gent-wevelgem-2023/elite-men/results/|title=Gent-Wevelgem: Christophe Laporte and Wout van Aert dominate with a 1-2 finish after 50km attack|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=26 March 2023|accessdate=5 June 2023}} He then finished fourth at the Tour of Flanders,{{cite news|first1=Barry|last1=Ryan|first2=Stephen|last2=Farrand|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-flanders-2023/elite-men/results/|title=Tour of Flanders: Tadej Pogacar wins alone after stunning Kwaremont attack|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=2 April 2023|accessdate=5 June 2023}} and third at Paris–Roubaix the following weekend, after a late puncture on the Carrefour de l'Arbre cobbled sector.{{cite news|first1=Peter|last1=Stuart|first2=Daniel|last2=Ostanek|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/i-had-the-legs-wout-van-aert-reflects-on-lost-chance-after-paris-roubaix-puncture/|title='I had the legs' - Wout van Aert reflects on lost chance after Paris-Roubaix puncture|work=Cyclingnews.com|publisher=Future plc|date=9 April 2023|accessdate=5 June 2023}}

He claimed a silver medal at the 2023 UCI Road race World Championships in Glasgow, losing out to Mathieu van der Poel, but finishing ahead of the rest of the second group consisting of Tadej Pogačar and Mads Pedersen (cyclist).{{Cite web |date=2023-08-06 |title=Mathieu van der Poel Wins the 2023 Men's World Championship Road Race |url=https://www.bicycling.com/racing/a44743918/uci-world-championships-2023-mens-road-race-results/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=Bicycling |language=en-US}} A few days later he finished 5th in the time trial.{{Cite web |author1=James Shrubsall |date=2023-08-11 |title=Remco Evenepoel wins World Championship time trial as Josh Tarling grabs superb bronze |url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/remco-evenepoel-win-world-championship-time-trial-as-josh-tarling-grabs-superb-bronze |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=cyclingweekly.com |language=en}}

==2024 - injury troubles==

Van Aert suffered a high-speed crash around 70 km from the finish line of Dwars Door Vlaanderen, fracturing his collarbone and several ribs.{{Cite web |last= Ryan |first=Barry |date=2024-03-27 |title=Wout van Aert fractures collarbone and ribs in high-speed Dwars door Vlaanderen crash |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wout-van-aert-abandons-dwars-door-vlaanderen-due-to-nightmare-crash/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=cyclingnews.com |language=en}} This prevented him from finishing the race, and from starting several other classics. He failed to win any stages at the Tour de France, and he placed only 8th in the points classification.

He broke his drought of stage wins at his first Vuelta a España, winning stage 3 in the red jersey{{Cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.com/geoblocking.shtml |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=www.eurosport.com |title=TNT Sports is not available in your region }} and taking the green jersey from Kaden Groves in doing so.{{Cite web |title=Official classifications of La Vuelta - Stage 2 |url=https://www.lavuelta.es/en/rankings/stage-2 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=www.lavuelta.es |language=en}} He went on to win stage 7{{Cite web |date=2024-08-23 |title=Vuelta a Espana 2024: Wout van Aert wins stage seven as Ben O'Connor leads |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/articles/c1l589rle7go |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} after losing stage 5 to Pavel Bittner in a photo finish,{{Cite web |date=2024-08-21 |title=Vuelta a Espana 2024: Pavel Bittner pips Wout van Aert to win stage five |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/articles/c17gnzdgwjpo |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} throwing his bike before the finish line - a tactical error that cost him the stage. He attacked from the breakaway with Quentin Pacher before the final climb of stage 10, outsprinting Pacher at the finish to take his third stage win and sixth podium finish of the 2024 Vuelta.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-27 |title=Van Aert claims third Vuelta victory on stage 10 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/articles/c984jy71z89o |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} Van Aert also took the polka-dot jersey from Adam Yates after stage 13,{{Cite web |title=Official classifications of La Vuelta - Stage 13 |url=https://www.lavuelta.es/en/rankings/stage-13 |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=www.lavuelta.es |language=en}} taking maximum points in the King of the Mountains classification from the breakaway. However, KoM second place Marc Soler wore the jersey during stage 14 as van Aert remained in green. He abandoned the race during stage 16 after crashing on a wet descent less than 50 km from the finish.{{Cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Barry |last2=published |first2=Alasdair Fotheringham |date=2024-09-03 |title=Wout van Aert crashes on wet descent and abandons Vuelta a España |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wout-van-aert-crashes-on-wet-descent-and-abandons-vuelta-a-espana/ |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=cyclingnews.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title= |url=https://x.com/vismaleaseabike/status/1830982393483927768}} Visma-Lease a Bike, later confirmed that Van Aert hadn’t suffered any fractures as a result of the crash and that he withdrew due to severe knee pain as a result of the crash.{{Cite web |last=Hansen |first=Matt |date=2024-09-04 |title=Visma - Lease a Bike give Wout van Aert medical update |url=https://cyclingmagazine.ca/sections/news/visma-lease-a-bike-give-wout-van-aert-medical-update/ |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=Canadian Cycling Magazine |language=en-CA}} This left Visma-Lease a Bike with only five riders in the race, as van Aert's teammates Dylan van Baarle and Cian Uijtdebroeks had previously withdrawn.

On 18 September 2024, it was announced that van Aert had re-signed with Visma–Lease a Bike until the end of his career.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-18 |title=Wout van Aert to stay with Team Visma–Lease a Bike until the end of his career |url=https://www.teamvismaleaseabike.com/news/news/wout-van-aert-to-stay-with-team-visma-lease-a-bike-until-the-end-of-his-career/ |access-date=2024-09-18 |website= Team Visma–Lease a Bike|language=en}}

Personal life

Van Aert married Sarah de Bie in 2018,{{Cite Instagram|title=To have and to hold ❤️ #MrandMrsvanAert 📸 @cyclingcphotography|postid=Bk1vW9iAoBc |access-date=2022-09-06|user=debiesarah|date=2018-07-05}} and the couple have two sons, born in 2021 and 2023.{{Cite Instagram|user=debiesarah|title=GEORGES. que d'amour. 4/01/21 🤍 |postid=CJp_l5gnyg5 |access-date=2022-09-06|date=2021-01-05}} Van Aert withdrew from the 2023 Tour de France before stage 18 to return home for the birth of their second child. Their second child, Jerome, was born shortly after Van Aert left the race.{{Cite news |title=Van Aert withdraws from Tour for birth of child |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cycling/66255305 |access-date=2023-07-20}}