CONFIRMED: Wout van Aert Will Depart from UCI WorldTeam After 2025 Season…
In a move that has sent ripples through the cycling world, it has been officially confirmed that Belgian cycling star Wout van Aert will depart from his longtime team, UCI WorldTeam Jumbo-Visma, at the conclusion of the 2025 season. This marks the end of an era for both van Aert and the Dutch-based team, where he has been a cornerstone of success since joining in 2019.
The announcement came earlier today via a joint statement from both van Aert and Jumbo-Visma, confirming widespread speculation that the 30-year-old classics specialist and all-rounder was weighing his future beyond his current contract. Although the destination of van Aert’s next chapter remains undisclosed, sources close to the rider suggest that multiple teams, both within and outside of Europe, have expressed keen interest.
A Transformational Career at Jumbo-Visma
Van Aert’s tenure at Jumbo-Visma has been nothing short of phenomenal. Joining the team as a cyclocross champion with raw road potential, he has blossomed into one of the most versatile and accomplished riders in the professional peloton. From stage wins in the Tour de France to victories in prestigious one-day races like Milan-San Remo and Strade Bianche, van Aert has repeatedly demonstrated his unique ability to excel in a wide array of terrains and formats.
His role at Jumbo-Visma evolved from being a promising young recruit to a central figure, often acting as both a leader in the Spring Classics and a key domestique in Grand Tours. Perhaps most memorably, his selfless work for teammate Jonas Vingegaard in the 2022 and 2023 Tour de France helped secure the yellow jersey, earning him widespread admiration for his team-first attitude.
Reasons Behind the Departure
While van Aert has not publicly elaborated on the specific reasons for his decision, insiders suggest that a mix of personal ambition and a desire for a new environment may have played a role. “It’s about closing a chapter and opening a new one,” van Aert said in a brief statement. “I’ve grown so much here—both as a rider and as a person—but I feel the time is right to pursue new challenges.”
The 2025 season will allow him a farewell tour of sorts, during which he is expected to target several marquee races. Among them: Paris-Roubaix, the Tour of Flanders, and possibly another tilt at the World Championships, where van Aert has narrowly missed the rainbow jersey on several occasions.
Jumbo-Visma Responds
Team management at Jumbo-Visma expressed both sadness and gratitude at the news of van Aert’s impending departure. “Wout has been instrumental in shaping this team’s identity,” said team manager Richard Plugge. “He’s not just a rider—he’s a leader, a mentor, and an inspiration. We fully respect his decision and look forward to making 2025 a season to remember.”
The team is expected to begin reshaping its roster strategy in anticipation of his departure. Young talents like Olav Kooij and Johannes Staune-Mittet may be groomed to step into more prominent roles in the coming seasons.
What’s Next for Van Aert?
Though van Aert has remained tight-lipped about his future destination, speculation is rife. Rumors have linked him with a move to several rival WorldTeams, including INEOS Grenadiers and UAE Team Emirates. There is also talk of a potential shift in focus—perhaps fewer Grand Tour duties and more emphasis on individual classics and time trials.
Wherever he lands, one thing is clear: Wout van Aert’s departure from Jumbo-Visma will significantly alter the dynamics of professional cycling. Fans around the world will be watching closely in 2025—not just to witness his final races in yellow and black, but to see where the next chapter of his legendary career will take him.
For now, cycling fans can savor one more season of Wout van Aert at Jumbo-Visma—a farewell campaign that promises to be filled with both nostalgia and brilliance.
