Wout van Aert is the Man Who Can Take on Phenomenal Pogačar and Van der Poel: “He is Meticulously Preparing for Flanders and Roubaix”
As the Spring Classics approach, one name is emerging as the biggest challenger to the dominance of Tadej Pogačar and Mathieu van der Poel: Wout van Aert. The Belgian powerhouse is leaving nothing to chance in his bid to conquer the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, two of cycling’s most prestigious Monuments.
Van Aert, known for his versatility across road racing, cyclocross, and time trials, has often found himself in the shadow of his biggest rivals. Pogačar, the Slovenian sensation, stunned the cycling world last year with his emphatic Tour of Flanders victory, while Van der Poel, Van Aert’s long-time adversary, continues to prove his prowess in the Classics with his explosive power and tactical brilliance.
But this year, Van Aert is determined to turn the tables. His preparation has been meticulous, with a well-calculated approach to his training, race schedule, and tactical strategies. Reports suggest that he has been focusing on refining his endurance and explosiveness, key attributes for the punishing cobbled races ahead.
“Wout is leaving no stone unturned. He knows this is his time to shine,” a source close to his camp revealed. “His training is structured specifically to counter the strengths of Pogačar and Van der Poel. He’s working on longer efforts to match Pogačar’s relentless attacking style and improving his sprint to take on Van der Poel in a head-to-head finish.”
One of Van Aert’s key advantages this year is his formidable Jumbo-Visma squad, which has been built to support his ambitions in the Spring Classics. With teammates like Christophe Laporte and Dylan van Baarle, Van Aert will have the tactical depth needed to challenge his rivals in the toughest of races.
His campaign began promisingly with strong performances in early-season races, showing signs of the form and confidence needed to take on the best. The real test, however, will come in Flanders and Roubaix, where he must balance patience with aggression, timing his moves perfectly to outmaneuver Pogačar and Van der Poel.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Van Aert. At 29, he is in the prime of his career and is more motivated than ever to add a Monument victory to his already impressive palmarès. For Belgian fans, the dream of seeing their hero triumph in their biggest races remains alive.
As the cycling world eagerly anticipates the showdown between these three titans, one thing is certain: Wout van Aert is ready. His meticulous preparation, combined with his undeniable talent, makes him the man who can take on the phenomenal Pogačar and Van der Poel.
