Wout van Aert has outlined his 2025 race calendar, beginning with the Clasica Jaen on the 17th of February. The Belgian star, fresh from cyclocross wins in Gullegem and Dendermonde, is preparing to transition from mud to tarmac with a structured build-up to the spring classics, highlighted by a Giro-Tour double later in the year.
Van Aert’s off-season has been marked by a focus on recovery and durability. Speaking after his Dendermonde victory, he explained, “In the second half of the cross in Dendermonde, I felt a bit of discomfort in my right leg, but it wasn’t bad enough to hold me back. I still feel my knee every day, as well as my back and ribs from that crash in March. Those parts of my body still need daily attention.” Reflecting on his physical condition, he added, “I’m really pleased that my body could handle such a tough mud race. Ploughing through mud up to your ankles is an absolute assault on the body.”
Van Aert’s cyclocross season will conclude later this month with appearances at the World Cup round in Benidorm on the 19th of January and the Maasmechelen race on the 25th of January. He plans to head to Spain for a training camp in La Nucia ahead of these final races.
Photo Credit: GettyAfter wrapping up his cyclocross commitments, Van Aert will embark on his road season with the Clasica Jaen. Last year, the race brought frustration when a puncture on the opening gravel section derailed his efforts. Reflecting on his misfortune in the Spanish “Strade Bianche,” Van Aert’s determination for redemption is clear, though he has kept tight-lipped about his ambitions for the event.
Two days after Jaen, Van Aert will line up for the Volta ao Algarve, where he impressed in 2024 by winning the third stage. He will then return to Belgium for the opening weekend, featuring Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, before a high-altitude training camp in Tenerife to prepare for the northern classics. His spring campaign will include marquee events such as E3 Saxo Classic Harelbeke, Dwars door Vlaanderen, the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, and Amstel Gold Race. Notably absent from his schedule are Strade Bianche and Milan-Sanremo, which he also skipped last year.
The summer promises a packed schedule for Van Aert, with the Giro d’Italia marking his long-awaited debut in the Italian Grand Tour. He had initially planned to ride the Giro in 2024, but a crash in Dwars door Vlaanderen disrupted his preparation. Following the Giro, Van Aert will shift focus to the Tour de France, where he has been a key figure in recent editions. As Van Aert transitions to the road, his ability to manage both physical challenges and ambitious race plans will be tested. But for now, the Belgian remains focused on the next steps, with Spain beckoning as the stage for his 2025 campaign.
