Wout van Aert dedicates Paris-Roubaix win to deceased teammate: 'This win is for him and his family'
CyclingSunday, 12 April 2026 at 17:15
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Follow us on GoogleWout van Aert delivered the ultimate redemption on Sunday by winning Paris-Roubaix 2026. The Belgian from Visma | Lease a Bike beat Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) in a two-up sprint and could barely contain his emotions afterwards. A visibly moved Van Aert gave his account in the winner's flash interview.
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"Erm…" Van Aert began, facing interviewer Seb Piquet, before delivering a powerful story.
"This means everything to me. It's been a goal since 2018, the first year I rode this race. In that race I lost my teammate Michael Goolaerts, and since that day it's been my goal to come back and point my finger to the sky."
And that is exactly what he did — finger pointed skyward. "This win is for Michael, but also for his family, the staff and everyone at Veranda's Willems, my former team. That was such an incredibly hard day, and since then I've had a lot of bad luck in this race, but I never stopped believing. Now the reward is here."
Continue reading below the photo!
Van Aert suffered in Pogačar's wheel
"I've stopped believing many times, but every time I woke up the next day with the feeling that it was possible. The fact that I'm now riding onto the velodrome with the world champion gives me enormous satisfaction. He made it incredibly hard for me, and the fact that I managed it mano a mano feels very special."
Van Aert launched his sprint from distance. "I stuck to my plan — one I've played out so many times in my dreams and in my preparation. The hardest part was reaching the velodrome, because I was on my limit so many times sitting in his wheel. But it was all worth it."
And so he has it. "The most beautiful one," as he told team boss Richard Plugge. "This is Paris-Roubaix — a chaotic race where everyone has their own story. That's what makes it so beautiful, and when luck is on your side, it feels so good."
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Tom van der Salm (27) comes from the charming town of Zeilberg (Deurne) in the Netherlands and has been working as editor-in-chief & journalist at IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, In de Leiderstrui, since 2019. He travels with the peloton from the Tour de France to the AlUla Tour and from the World Championships in Rwanda or Canada to the Zilvermeercross in Mol. In his spare time he enjoys playing football, mountain biking, running, walking with his Labrador/Stabyhoun, investing, holidays, (specialty) beers, reading, cooking and watching sports & documentaries!
Contact: [email protected]
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Latest Comments
- - Vamos Pog! Qué bestia. But ojo, WVA en verde mañana es bonito. Stage 7 sprint placement es malo para sprinters puros… veremos tácticas de Visma, si?breakawaybikerd28-08-2026
- - Love the analysis but the article mixed up jerseys a bit, right? It says “red jersey wearer” for Pogacar—should be yellow here, no? Still, Enric Mas hanging on was class. Rock-solid is spot on.julien28-08-2026
- - Visma need to pick a lane. Brennan and Laporte both racking up points is nice on paper, but it dilutes the lead-out and burns domestiques. Back Wout 100% or switch to Brennan if he’s climbing better—otherwise Pog grabs green by attrition.lindae28-08-2026
- - Quick question: how does the green jersey scoring work exactly? If Wout wins an intermediate sprint, is that really the same points as Pog winning the stage? Seems odd to me.patriciaw28-08-2026
- - Pog just toying with the field again. Third stage and he’s hoovering green points too… UAE nailed the timing on that final climb. Van Aert did what he could but 27 km from the finish for the int. sprint in Stage 7 is brutal for him.tourdeforce928-08-2026
- - Pog is incredible but sometimes too brave. On Spanish roads with that variable camber, a “gentle” turn can bite. Bueno espectáculo, pero cuidado tío!julien27-08-2026
- - How big was the time gap at the finish after the scare? The article didn’t list GC time differences and I’m confused who kept the red jersey and by how much.andrewf27-08-2026
- - Great write-up, but tiny correction: isn’t it UAE Team Emirates, not “UAE Emirates-XRG”? Unless there’s a new co-sponsor I missed?breakawaybikerd27-08-2026
- - Did anyone else catch what Mas actually said when he gestured to ease up? Looked like a smart call from Enric given his reputation on downhills. Surprised Tadej didn’t heed it for once.tourdeforce927-08-2026
- - Heart in mouth watching that descent. Pogacar riding on the ragged edge, then somehow saves it on the shoulder… absolute cat reflexes. Fair play to Mas for the savvy move over the top.sprocketspiny27-08-2026
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