Wout van Aert is a Belgian cycling sensation who has taken the WorldTour by storm! With his impressive wins at the Tour de France, Milan-San Remo, and other prestigious races, he’s become a household name among cycling fans. But how much do you really know about this cycling superstar?
From his university days studying computer science to his favorite breakfast foods (spoiler alert: it’s not just energy bars!), Wout van Aert is a fascinating figure both on and off the bike. Did you know that his grandfather was the legendary French cyclist Raymond Poulidor? Talk about cycling royalty!
Van Aert’s rivalry with Mathieu van der Poel is the stuff of legend, with both cyclists pushing each other to new heights (and speeds!). But despite their on-track battles, they’re not exactly friends off the bike. In fact, Van Aert’s former coach Niels Albert revealed that they’ve never been close and rarely speak to each other away from races.
When he’s not racing, Van Aert loves to unwind with a game of Fortnite (yes, really!) and has even had custom cycling shoes made with motifs from the popular video game. And did you know that he’s a brand ambassador for Lamborghini Antwerp and has his own sleek Urus car? Talk about speed off the bike!
But Van Aert’s success hasn’t been without its challenges. He’s faced injuries, crashes, and even legal troubles (he was charged with common assault at the 2022 World Championships but had the conviction quashed). Yet through it all, he remains one of the most dominant forces in cycling. Want to learn more about this incredible athlete? Keep reading!
1. Wout van Aert was born in Belgium to a French mother and Dutch father.
2. His grandfather, Raymond Poulidor, was a French cycling legend.
3. His team honored Poulidor at the 2021 Tour de France.
4. Van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel have a long-standing rivalry.
5. Van Aert rode for the IKO Enertherm – BKCP club in 2012.
6. His dad, Adri van der Poel, was a former pro cyclist.
7. Van Aert has won stages at the Tour de France, Tour of Britain, and Tirreno-Adriatico.
8. He once raced because he was bored.
9. His brother, David, was also a pro cyclist.
10. Van Aert won the cyclo-cross world championships as a junior.
11. He’s not friends with Van der Poel.
12. His first major road win was the Dutch National Championships as a junior.
13. He loves Fortnite and has custom cycling shoes.
14. He became the youngest cyclo-cross world champion in 2015.
15. His first senior road win was at Ronde van Limburg in 2014.
16. He hit 1362 watts at Strade Bianche in 2021.
17. He’s never won a Grand Tour stage past stage two.
18. He won Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix in 2023.
19. He’s a brand ambassador for Lamborghini Antwerp.
20. He’s dabbled in mountain biking and competed at the Tokyo Olympics.
21. He was charged with common assault at the 2022 World Championships but had the conviction quashed.
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