“I Basically Gave Myself Cramps for Nothing” — Wout van Aert’s Honest Reflection on Dropping Tadej Pogačar During His Famous Montmartre Stage Win at the Tour de France

When cycling fans think back to the 2025 Tour de France, the image of Wout van Aert powering through the cobbled climb of Montmartre in Paris will forever stand out as one of the most iconic moments in the sport’s recent history. The Belgian powerhouse, who has made a career out of transcending the usual categories of “sprinter,” “climber,” and “time trialist,” added yet another unforgettable chapter to his career when he crossed the line alone on the steps of Montmartre.

But what has now become just as memorable as the victory itself is Van Aert’s remarkably candid reflection afterward. Speaking with reporters, the 30-year-old Jumbo–Visma rider admitted that, in the heat of the moment, he hadn’t realized he had dropped none other than Tadej Pogačar — the Slovenian superstar and two-time Tour champion — during the decisive attack.

> “Honestly, I thought he was still on my wheel,” Van Aert confessed. “I kept pushing, almost out of fear, almost out of instinct. I gave myself cramps for nothing because I didn’t know he was gone. If I had known, maybe I’d have ridden smarter. But in the end, maybe that’s why I won.”

A Battle of Giants

The Montmartre stage was already billed as historic before a pedal had been turned. Organizers had chosen to take the peloton into the heart of Paris, finishing atop the cobbled ascent leading to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica — a brutal, twisting ramp of pain that demanded both power and finesse. It was a stage designed for drama, and it delivered in every possible way.

With less than three kilometers to go, the elite group had been whittled down to just a handful of names: Van Aert, Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel. Each rider represented a different vision of cycling’s future: the relentless all-rounder, the pure Grand Tour leader, the calculating champion, and the ambitious young star.

When Van Aert launched his acceleration on the lower slopes, fans expected Pogačar to be glued to his wheel, as he so often is when the race turns brutal. But in a rare twist, the Slovenian cracked ever so slightly — and within seconds, a gap had opened that he would never close.

The Human Side of Greatness

What makes Van Aert’s confession so striking is how human it reveals him to be. For years, the cycling world has marveled at his almost machine-like ability to compete in classics, sprints, mountain stages, and time trials. Yet in this instance, even he didn’t fully grasp what was unfolding around him.

“I was in my own world of suffering,” he explained later. “You don’t hear much, you don’t see much. You just hear the noise of the crowd and the voice in your head telling you to keep going. I didn’t dare to look back. I thought Tadej was there, ready to pounce. That fear kept me going.”

By the time Van Aert realized he was alone, it was already too late for his legs — the cramps had set in. But the finish line was close enough, and the roar of the Parisian crowd gave him the final push he needed.

Pogačar’s Response

Tadej Pogačar, ever gracious in defeat, smiled afterward when asked about Van Aert’s remarks. “That’s Wout,” he said. “He gives everything, no matter what. Even when I’m not there, he rides like I am. That’s why he wins races like this.”

The mutual respect between the two champions has become one of the defining dynamics of modern cycling. Both acknowledge that the other pushes them to new heights, and both are aware that their legacies are intertwined.

A Victory Beyond Numbers

For Van Aert, the Montmartre win was not about statistics or palmarès — though it certainly adds to his glittering career. It was about proving something to himself, about showing that in the biggest races and on the most unique stages, he can rise above even the greatest rivals.

“I don’t know if it was my smartest race,” he admitted, “but maybe sometimes you don’t need to be smart. You just need to give everything. That’s what people remember.”

And indeed, people will remember. They will remember the sight of Van Aert charging up Montmartre, the cobbles trembling under his power. They will remember Pogačar, just a few meters behind, unable to respond for once. They will remember the finish line celebration, arms aloft against the Parisian skyline.

But most of all, they will remember the honesty of a champion who could admit that his body suffered more than it needed to — all because he refused to believe

his greatest rival had been left behind.