Highlights: Heartbreak for Van Aert as Ganna storms to stunning victory
Video credit: TNT Sports
Wout van Aert says that he has thought about the prospect of retirement.The Visma-Lease a Bike rider is now 31 but has shown no signs that his power is dwindling heading into Sunday’s Tour of Flanders – live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.Van Aert came agonisingly close to victory at last week’s Dwars door Vlaanderen, breaking away from the peloton and leading up until the final stretch, when he tired and was overtaken in the sprint to the line by Ineos Grenadiers’ Filippo Ganna.
The Belgian will hope for an equally competitive performance in De Ronde, where he finished second in 2020 and fourth place last year.
But he has acknowledged that he is no longer in the prime years of his career and that calling it a day has crossed his mind.
”From the moment I turned 30 and unofficially belonged to the older generation of the peloton, I started thinking about it sometimes,” Van Aert told Het Laatste Nieuws.
”The older our children get, the more often that happens. Do I really think about quitting? Yes and no.”
‘Nice if the finish was 150m earlier’ – Van Aert reacts after being pipped on run to line
Video credit: TNT Sports
Van Aert turned professional in 2013 and has been a key figure for Visma since 2019.
While retirement is not imminent, he suggested he is not likely to be riding into his late 30s.
“When that thought crosses my mind sometimes, a minute later I’m thinking again about how I can prepare 100% for the Spring Classics and what choices I need to make,” he said.
“That thought is certainly not at the forefront but the chance is greater that I will have stopped within five years than that I will still be a rider.”
Van Aert, who has two young sons, emphasised the importance of his family life.
“I think it’s wonderful to be able to involve them in my career,” he said. “The eldest already understands a lot about racing too. He thinks it’s absolutely magical to see those buses, the podium, and everything that goes with the race.”
On his post-career plans, he added: ”I don’t plan on just sitting on the couch. I am in a privileged situation where I am earning a good living and hopefully will continue to do so for a while. We also try to be sensible with money.
”Above all, I hope that I can experience the same thing later on as I do now. Doing what I love and not feeling like I’m working, but hopefully being home a bit more.”
How to watch the 2026 Tour of FlandersThe men’s race will be live on TNT Sports 3 and HBO Max. Coverage begins at 08:30 UK time, with the action getting underway approximately half an hour later.Coverage of the women’s race begins at 14:00 on TNT Sports 4 and HBO Max.
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