Wout Van Aert has set his sights firmly on the final stage of the 2025 Tour de France, brushing aside any lingering disappointments from earlier stages. The Belgian powerhouse, who has already left his mark on the race with several strong performances, has made it clear that he is “more motivated than ever” to claim victory on the Champs-Élysées. However, he also hopes that Tadej Pogačar—the dominant leader of this year’s Tour—will not disrupt his plans.
Speaking to Sporza after Stage 20, Van Aert admitted that his energy and determination are peaking ahead of the finale:
“The final stage is always special, and I’m ready to give it everything. I feel more motivated than before because I know I still have one big chance to take a win here.”
While Van Aert has come close to victory several times during this Tour, bad luck and untimely tactics have cost him crucial opportunities. The Paris sprint finish, however, remains one of his strongest battlegrounds.
In a light-hearted but pointed comment, Van Aert hinted that Pogačar’s aggressive riding style sometimes complicates the plans of sprinters.
“Hopefully Pogacar doesn’t interfere,” he said with a grin. “He’s already won enough here. The final stage is a sprint stage—let us sprinters have this one!”
This playful remark reflects the dynamic between Pogačar and the classics specialists during this Tour. On several occasions, Pogačar’s relentless attacks on transitional stages have disrupted the traditional sprinters’ trains, leaving riders like Van Aert with fewer opportunities to strike.
Visma–Lease a Bike is fully backing Van Aert for the Paris finale. Team director Merijn Zeeman confirmed that the squad will build its strategy entirely around positioning Van Aert for the final sprint on the Champs-Élysées.
“Wout has the speed, the strength, and the experience. We’re going all-in to deliver him to the last 200 meters. If we do our job, he can finish this Tour with a victory,” Zeeman told reporters.
Van Aert will face fierce competition from Jasper Philipsen, Mads Pedersen, and other top sprinters, but his form and resilience have made him a top favorite for the final showdown. His victory in Paris in 2021 remains a highlight of his career, and he is determined to repeat that triumph in 2025.
“I want to cross the finish line first on the Champs-Élysées again. That feeling is unmatched, and I’ll fight with everything I have,” Van Aert declared.
Regardless of the outcome, Van Aert’s Tour has once again solidified his reputation as one of the most versatile and consistent riders in the peloton. A win in Paris would not only cap off his Tour but also set the tone for the upcoming World Championships, where he is expected to play a key role for Belgium.
