After weeks of setbacks and quiet performances, Wout van Aert made a resounding statement on stage 8 of the 2025 Tour de France, sprinting to a strong second place behind stage winner Jonathan Milan.
For the Belgian, it wasn’t just about the result—it was a signal that he’s back in contention and finding his rhythm again.
“There wasn’t much I could do about Milan today,” Van Aert explained to reporters after the finish in Laval. “I couldn’t get past him. It was a tough sprint with uphill sections, so I wanted to get in there. It’s nice to get a result for once.”
“I’d actually decided before the stage that I was going to contend. My legs were good yesterday, and they were good again today.”
Van Aert was asked if he would reveal his ambitions next time he plans on fighting for the stage win via social media.
“I’ll think about it. Maybe I’ll post it on Twitter, although I’m not sure I still have my password,” Van Aert joked. “If you’re starting, you have every right to go for a result.”
