Wout Van Aert to skip European and World Cycling Championships
Wout van Aert will conclude his 2025 cycling season with the Tour of Germany and a handful of one-day races, his team Visma-Lease a Bike announced on Friday. As a result, the Belgian star will not take part in this year's European and World Cycling Championships.
"It has been a great year, in which the important goals followed each other in quick succession," Van Aert said. After a difficult recovery from a crash during last year's Vuelta a España, he managed a strong comeback, securing stage wins in both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France.
"After such a busy season, we have to make sure I don't bite off more than I can chew," he added. "For that reason, we chose to end my season after the Super 8 Classic and skip the European and World Championships."
His absence leaves a gap in the Belgian national team. "It's a shame, of course," national coach Serge Pauwels told Sporza on Friday. "Someone like Wout could certainly have been a contender at the World Championship in Rwanda, if conditions were favourable. And if he could not have won himself, Wout would have been a very important pawn within the team."
All eyes on Evenepoel
Meanwhile, fellow Belgian star Remco Evenepoel will take part in both championships. After being forced to abandon the Tour de France, Evenepoel is now preparing for the Tour of Britain in September. He will then head to Rwanda for the World Championships later that month, followed by the European Championships in France in early October.
Evenepoel will compete in both the road race and time trial at both events. The Belgian has held the title of time trial world champion for the past two years.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO TOM GOYVAERTS
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