Van Aert commits rest of career to Visma Lease a Bike

Wout van Aert has agreed to stay with team Visma Lease a Bike for the rest of his career.

The 30-year-old Belgian, winner of nine Tour de France stages, joined then Team Jumbo-Visma in 2019 and his previous contract was set to expire in 2026.

"I didn't have to think long when this idea came up," said Van Aert.

"I feel very much at home in this team, which is very important to me. This team is unique and has suited me for five years and I want to keep it that way. That's why I decided to stay here forever, and that feels really good."

Van Aert has won several prestigious one-day classic road races including Milan-San Remo, Amstel Gold Race and Strade Bianche.

The three-time world cyclo-cross champion, who has also won three Vuelta a Espana stages, won Olympic bronze in the time trial at Paris 2024.

"This is unique in our sport, but we both didn't have to think long about that," said team CEO Richard Plugge.

"Wout has become an important culture carrier, an indispensable link in our team. He is a leader and a team player. He is a rider who also makes others in the team better, just through his insights and charisma.

"We are extremely happy with him and fortunately that is mutual."

Van Aert's 2024 season was ended by a crash during stage 16 of the Vuelta a Espana, in which he suffered a serious knee injury.

A crash at the Dwars door Vlaanderen one-day race in March left him with a broken collarbone and several broken ribs, keeping him out of the spring classics and the Giro d'Italia.

Team Visma Lease a Bike's main target for 2025 will be to reclaim the Tour de France title, after Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates beat Jonas Vingegaard to victory this year.