“It’s been a great year, with major goals coming in quick succession,” explains Van Aert, who won stages in both the Giro and Tour this year and is currently ranked fourth in the UCI standings. “As in most years, the spring classics and the Tour de France were my main objectives. I’m also happy that I finally got to experience the Giro d’Italia. That variety – the same reason I rode the Vuelta a España for the first time last year – is something I need and find very motivating.”

For the final part of the season, the team and Van Aert have again opted for a varied race schedule. It includes his debut in the Deutschland Tour, the Bretagne Classic – Ouest-France (which he won in 2022), the double-header GP de Québec and GP de Montréal, and finishes with the Super 8 Classic. “It’s important to still set some important goals for the last part of the season, and with this calendar, we’ve certainly succeeded. At the same time, after such a packed season, it’s crucial not to overdo it. That’s why we’ve decided to end my season after the Super 8 Classic and skip both the World Championships and European Championships.”