Hardy Van Aert (30) and Van der Poel (29) compete against each other in the same colors until cycling retirement

On Wednesday afternoon, Wout van Aert's contract with Visma | Lease a Bike was suddenly extended indefinitely. The Belgian thereby did what Mathieu van der Poel did earlier this year: serve his current team until the end of his cycling career, whenever that may be. So, until either of them retires, they will compete against each other in the same colors.

Van der Poel announced back in March that he will remain on board with Alpecin-Deceuninck at least through 2028, with a yearly option for seasons thereafter. "This extension is a logical choice for me as I feel very comfortable with Philip and Roodhooft from the beginning. I have grown with the team, and we are still making progress," he said in Koblenz, where he signed a 10-year commitment with bike sponsor Canyon.

"Together, we have already succeeded, but I am still hungry. In addition, the team is one with multiple disciplines, so perfect for me to continue combining them," said Van der Poel, who could focus on the Olympic mountain bike race in Los Angeles, USA, in 2028. He will then have completed eighteen (!) years with the Roodhooft brothers.

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Van Aert closes indefinitely deal with Visma | Lease a Bike

Van der Poel's great rival, Van Aert, has now announced that he will stay with his current team, Visma | Lease a Bike, until the end of his career. "I didn't have to think long when this idea came up. First of all, because at Team Visma | Lease a Bike we work with the best people and the best equipment. Together we are constantly looking for improvement, which means we keep developing individually but also as a team."

'I owe a lot of success to that, we really do it together. But apart from that, 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." said Van Aert, who has already experienced highs and lows since joining the team in 2019.

"Wout has really become an important culture carrier, an indispensable link in our team," Visma | Lease a Bike CEO Richard Plugge praised the versatile Belgian rider. "He is a leader and a team player. He is a rider who also makes others in the team better just by his insights and charisma. We are extremely happy with him and fortunately that is mutual."