This is the strongest we have seen Wout van Aert heading into the Tour of Flanders in a long time

Van Aert has looked very strong in his most recent races and finally appears to be building back towards the kind of top form he last showed during the 2024 Vuelta a España. Since then, his run of physical setbacks has been well documented, which only makes it more enjoyable now to see a Van Aert who once again looks capable of making the difference at the very highest level.

He finished third in Milan-Sanremo and then took second in Dwars door Vlaanderen. So will victory follow in the Tour of Flanders? “My form is better than during my first participation in 2018, but I have also started the Tour of Flanders with worse legs before,” Van Aert said. “And there were also times when I could not compete, even though I had very good legs. For now, I’m just happy with how I feel.”

Van Aert says he no longer looks too closely at the numbers. He knows his power data can sometimes confirm a good feeling, but feeling a little less good does not automatically mean a bad Tour of Flanders is ahead. “It’s more about the feeling, about how you feel, how you can influence a race and how good you are compared to the others.”

“The last two races were good, and I raced in the way I like to race. I did good and aggressive finals,” said the Belgian superstar, who in recent races was once again able to match Mathieu van der Poel deep into the decisive moments. “That did bring back memories, but on the other hand that has happened so many times already. It’s simply how I like to race.”

It has been a while since Van Aert arrived at his two biggest Monuments in such strong shape. “It’s a stressful period, but also one of the most beautiful times of the year. As a Belgian rider in these Classics, you are at the centre of attention. This is the highest of the high. Every year, it still gives me goosebumps. Even the recon rides are always cool to do.”

For someone who will be completely new to De Ronde, all eyes will also be on Remco Evenepoel. Van Aert sees the Olympic champion’s presence as a welcome addition to the race. “It’s great to see Remco on the start line. He’s a big name and one of the best one-day riders we have in the peloton. It’s brave that he’s giving it a try. Whether he’ll be an ally depends on many factors. But he is a real racer, and that’s how I see myself as well. That can work well together.”

“It’s going to be chaotic. You can never predict the Tour of Flanders,” Van Aert added. That was where the caution started to come through, because the Belgian does not see himself as the outright top favourite. “I’m not surprised by how I’ve raced, because I worked very hard for this. We stayed calm and there was enough time to reach a good level. I’m older and wiser now, but Van der Poel and Pogačar are more impressive. They are the favourites.”

Sports director Niermann agreed with that assessment. “We have a strong team. Wout has shown he is one of the strongest riders in the peloton, but Christophe Laporte and Per Strand Hagenes have also taken some very good results. Ideally, we can play more than one card, but in the final 50 kilometres it is often very straightforward. That is when the best riders come to the surface, and Wout will definitely be among them.”

The weather may yet play a crucial role in all of those predictions and calculations. Strong winds are forecast, although Niermann was keen to put that into perspective. “From the start in Antwerp we pass through a lot of towns, although the wind can definitely play a role in the final. It can make the race even harder.”

And what about a sprint finish? Is Van Aert still willing to wait for that in 2026? “If it comes to that, I’ll give it everything and then we’ll see whether it’s enough. But a sprint in the Tour of Flanders is always something special.”