'I have to be realistic' admits Wout van Aert, as he weighs his chances of ever winning the Tour of Flanders in the age of Pogačar

Wout van Aert admitted that his recent Paris-Roubaix victory brought him profound joy, and it was clear that many cycling fans shared the same sentiment. The Belgian cyclist had spent years fighting for that win, which taught him that perseverance could pay off. Now, his next major goal is the Tour of Flanders, his home race. However, during an interview with Fiets.nl, van Aert conceded that the presence of Tadej Pogačar and Remco Evenepoel made him more realistic about his chances at the cobbled Monument.

Like Paris-Roubaix before April this year, van Aert has spent a long time trying to win the Tour of Flanders but has never succeeded. He finished fourth in the past three attempts, with his best placing being second in 2020. He told the Dutch outlet that while there are riders with better cards, there are also few riders who get opportunities like his. He added that the chance can always come and he must be ready, including for the Tour of Flanders.

Van Aert emphasized that winning Paris-Roubaix was different from his previous big victories, as it felt less inevitable. He noted that fans quickly started talking about his Roubaix win and how it resonated deeply with them, feeling like a release. Despite the belief that he has made many people happy, van Aert acknowledged that he must balance realism with belief as he continues to pursue his dream of winning the Tour of Flanders.