Wout van Aert remains a strong contender for the pink leader’s jersey after a thrilling opening stage of the Giro d’Italia, where he narrowly finished second behind Mads Pedersen. The 30-year-old Belgian cyclist, representing Team Visma | Lease a Bike, faced significant challenges leading up to the race due to illness, which limited his preparations. However, he exceeded expectations by putting up a fierce fight during the stage, which took place on May 9, 2025, in Tirana, Albania.
The stage, which covered 160 kilometers from Durrës to Tirana, was marked by a grueling double ascent of the Surrel climb, a seven-kilometer hill that tested the riders' endurance. Early in the race, five riders broke away, but Team Visma | Lease a Bike took control of the peloton, ensuring the escapees didn’t gain too much ground. With 40 kilometers remaining, the breakaway was caught, setting the stage for a dramatic finale.
On the first ascent of the Surrel, the pace quickened, and several sprinters, including Olav Kooij, were dropped from the peloton. Van Aert, who had struggled with his health following the Amstel Gold Race, initially found himself pushed back but rallied with the help of his teammate, Wilco Kelderman. “I was completely on the limit, that was no bluffing or whatever, I was crawling to the top,” Van Aert admitted after the race. His perseverance paid off as he managed to regain his position at the front.
As the race neared its conclusion, Van Aert found himself in a sprint against Pedersen. With just 250 meters to go, Pedersen launched his sprint, narrowly holding off Van Aert to claim victory and the coveted maglia rosa. Van Aert crossed the line just a wheel length behind, expressing his disappointment at missing out on the win. “It doesn’t feel like a victory, but of course it’s a better result than I expected the last couple of days,” he said, reflecting on the challenges he faced in the lead-up to the Giro.
Van Aert’s journey to the Giro d’Italia was fraught with hurdles. His wife, Sarah De Bie, confirmed that he had indeed been ill before the race, a situation that forced the family to adjust their plans. “Wout wasn’t able to train as much, so there was more family time, which was of course really fun for the kids. But for Wout, it was crap, if I may use a strong word,” she shared in an interview. Despite the setbacks, Van Aert managed to switch gears mentally, focusing on the race ahead.
Team DS Marc Reef explained the strategy behind Team Visma | Lease a Bike’s aggressive riding during the stage. “We really didn’t know. To be honest, we rather assumed a scenario in which Wout was not good enough. Why did we ride anyway? Because we have the same interests as Lidl-Trek in this Giro and we didn’t want to start playing the game from day one,” he said. This proactive approach paid off as Van Aert remained competitive throughout the race.
Following his strong performance, Van Aert is now looking forward to the 13.7-kilometer individual time trial scheduled for May 10, 2025, in Tirana. This time trial presents him with another opportunity to seize the pink jersey. “Of course I can look forward to the ITT, but we try to recover as much as possible to get ready for this stage and plan to take it really day by day,” he said, indicating his determination to capitalize on the next stage.
As the Giro d’Italia continues, the rivalry between Van Aert and Pedersen is sure to heat up. With Van Aert’s previous successes in Grand Tours, including wearing the maillot jaune at the 2022 Tour de France, he has the experience and skill to contend for the overall lead. “You don’t get many chances to wear the maglia rosa, so I’ll definitely go for it again,” he concluded, setting the stage for an exciting time trial.
Overall, the opening stage of the Giro d’Italia not only showcased the resilience of Wout van Aert but also highlighted the fierce competition among the top cyclists. With the stakes higher than ever, fans can expect thrilling performances as the race unfolds. As Van Aert prepares for the time trial, all eyes will be on him to see if he can secure the leader’s jersey and make a significant mark in this year’s Giro d’Italia.
