Van_Aert–Van_der_Poel_rivalry
Van Aert–Van der Poel rivalry
Cycling rivalry between Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel
The cycling rivalry between Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel is considered among the greatest and longest lasting rivalries in the sport,[1] as they are contemporaries and have competed against each other since they were both eight years old.[2] They raced each other for the first time in a major event in the 2012 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships – Men's junior race and continuously since October 2013, originally in cyclo-cross and as their ambitions grew further also in road racing. The supporters of both riders, the Belgian media and later worldwide sports journalists began comparing one another regarding track record, racing style and personality.[3]
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Van Aert was born in September 1994 and Van der Poel in January 1995. Van Aert is from Belgium and has been riding for Team Visma–Lease a Bike since 2019. Van der Poel is from the Netherlands and rides for Alpecin–Deceuninck. Both were born and raised in the cycling heartland of Flanders though and in both cyclo-cross and road racing they have won various similar races and achieved various similar milestones. In cyclo-cross, Van Aert has often been the better racer on heavy courses in the mud whereas Van der Poel is better on punchy courses and known for his last lap attacks.[4]On the road, Van Aert has proved himself many times being the better time trialist, climber and mass sprinter whereas Van der Poel is the better puncheur and classics specialist.[5]
Van der Poel grew up in a true cycling family, having an older brother, David van der Poel, who is also a professional cyclist. His father Adri is a six-times National Champion and became World Cyclocross Champion in 1996. He was also twice a stage winner at the Tour de France and a winner of several Classics during his career, such as the 1986 Tour of Flanders and the 1988 Liège–Bastogne–Liège. His grandfather is Raymond Poulidor, nicknamed The Eternal Second,[6] winner of the 1961 Milan–San Remo, 1964 Vuelta a España and a five time runner up at the Tour de France. Van Aert grew up in a non-cycling family, although his father's cousin Jos van Aert was a Dutch professional cyclist who rode together in the Collstrop Cycling Team with Adri van der Poel in 1994.[7]
- Van Aert in 2014 on the absence of Van der Poel in the U23 Cyclo-cross European Championships: "The absent are always in the wrong".”[8]
- Van Aert in 2015 on his loss against Van der Poel in the Cyclo-cross World Championships: “I don't think I won silver. I lost gold. I think I can say that I was the best man in the race but that doesn't buy me anything." About Van der Poel: "He's a nice world champion. He'll show the jersey all year long.”[9]
- Van Aert in 2016 after beating Van der Poel at the Cyclo-cross World Championships: “I have to thank him. Because I got stuck in his wheel I finally got into my rhythm. Merci Mathieu." As for the way Van der Poel wilted: "It's in my character never to give up. I don't race to sit up after five laps.“[10]
- Van der Poel in 2017 on Niels Albert insisting Adri van der Poel designed the Cyclo-cross World Championships course in favour of Van der Poel: "When Wout became world champion in Hoogerheide on the course that my father had set, I didn't hear anyone! Always complaining. Wanker.”
- Adri van der Poel in 2018 on Van Aert dominating during the Cyclo-cross World Championships: “If the difference is two minutes, that is not normal. He rides around, but he does not breathe. With all due respect, Wout does not even stand in the shadow of Mathieu in terms of victories this season.”[11]
- Van der Poel in 2020: “It's really important that I have someone pushing my limits, and I do the same with him as well – we make each other stronger. I think we’ve had some really good battles in the past, and it starts to be a story of its own, and you see that it's getting bigger than the sport itself. It's pretty cool to have someone like him, and it also benefits me.”[12]
- Van Aert in 2021 on his loss against Van der Poel in the 2020 Tour of Flanders: “I would have preferred to have been beaten by Alaphilippe. I would have slept more easily that night. I keep turning that over for three nights, certainly because it was Mathieu who had won. We'll never change. This rivalry has made us who we are and it's not finished.” [13]
Throughout the years some riders were compared to Van Aert and Van der Poel, completing a so-called 'Big Three'. In cyclo-cross, Tom Pidcock, a multi-disciplined rider himself, was part of the Big Three since 2021. He never reached frequent wins in a cyclo-cross season and often ended on one of the lower podium spots. However, he became World Cyclo-cross Champion in the Van Aert-Van der Poel era, in 2022, however both of them were not present in that race.
On the road, Van Aert and Van der Poel are often named in a Top Three in several lists of best classic racers. In 2020 and 2021 both Julian Alaphilippe, Van Aert and Van der Poel were at the top of their game as to the Classics. It would have come down to a three-horse battle in the final of the 2020 Tour of Flanders, if it weren't for the fall of Alaphilippe due to a motor cycle. In 2022 and 2023 the biggest contender of the 'Big Two' in Classics was Tadej Pogačar. He battled with Van der Poel in both the 2022 Tour of Flanders and 2023 Tour of Flanders and stood on the podium with Van Aert and Van der Poel in the 2023 UCI Road World Championships – Men's road race.
Cyclo-cross youth categories
| Van Aert | 2008-2009 Novices | 2009-2010 Novices | 2010-2011 Juniors | 2011-2012 Juniors | 2012-2013 U-23 | 2013-2014 U-23 | 2014-2015 U-23 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of wins | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 6 | 33 |
| Van der Poel | 2009-2010 Novices | 2010-2011 Novices | 2011-2012 Juniors | 2012-2013 Juniors | 2013-2014 U-23 | 2014-2015 U-23 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of wins | 21 | 27 | 26 | 30 | 11 | 0 | 115 |
Novices
In the Novice ranks not many races were contested between the pair; 6 in 2009.[14][15]Van der Poel had the better results in all cyclo-cross races they contested together. Van der Poel remained in the Novice ranks in the 2010-2011 season as Van Aert moved to the Junior ranks that cyclo-cross season.[16][17]
Races contested together
| Year and race | Best placed rider | Lower placed rider |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 Horendonk |  Van der Poel |
 Van Aert 6th |
| 2009 Erpe-Mere | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 6th |
| 2009 Kessel | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 5th |
| 2009 Zwijndrecht | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 5th |
| 2009 Gavere | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 10th |
| 2009 Koksijde | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 6th |
Juniors
In the Junior category only in the 2011-2012 season Van Aert and Van der Poel raced together as Van Aert switched to the Under-23 ranks a year prior to Van der Poel. At the 2012 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships – Men's junior race in Koksijde, it was Van der Poel who claimed his first world title, defeating Van Aert by eight seconds.[18]
Races contested together
| Year and race | Best placed rider | Lower placed rider |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Erpe-Mere | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 4th |
| 2011 Kalmthout | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 4th |
| 2011 Ruddervoorde | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2011 Tábor | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 7th |
| 2011 Hamme | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2011 Gavere | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 4th |
| 2011 Koksijde | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2011 Gieten | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 4th |
| 2011 Diegem | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2011 Loenhout | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2012 Liévin | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 20th |
| 2012 Hoogerheide | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 5th |
| 2012 Lille | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2012 Hoogstraten | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2012 Middelkerke | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2012 Oostmalle | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
UCI Men's Junior Cyclo-cross World Championships
| Year and category | Best placed rider | Lower placed rider |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Junior | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
UEC Men's Junior Cyclo-cross European Championships
| Year and category | Best placed rider | Lower placed rider |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Junior | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 4th |
Under-23
In the 2012-2013 season, Van Aert had been going through a growth spurt and his length compared to Van der Poel's had been about equal as Van der Poel joined him in the U23 ranks in the 2013-2014 season. In the Superprestige, the overall title went to Van der Poel with four wins to three.[19][20]
Races contested together
| Year and category | Best placed rider | Lower placed rider |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Ronse | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2013 Cauberg | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2013 Tábor | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2013 Ruddervoorde | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 8th |
| 2013 Koppenberg | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2013 Hamme | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2013 Hasselt | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2013 Koksijde | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 15th |
| 2013 Essen | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2013 Namur | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2013 Zolder | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2013 Diegem | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2014 Baal | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2014 Rome | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2014 Nommay | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2014 Lille | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2013 Oostmalle | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
UCI Men's Under-23 Cyclo-cross World Championships
| Year and category | Best placed rider | Lower placed rider |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 Under-23 | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
UEC Men's Under-23 Cyclo-cross European Championships
| Year and category | Best placed rider | Lower placed rider |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 U-23 | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 4th |
Cyclo-cross elite category
| Van Aert | 2013-2014 | 2014-2015 | 2015-2016 | 2016-2017 | 2017-2018 | 2018-2019 | 2019-2020 | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of wins | 1 | 11 | 18 | 17 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 86 |
| Van der Poel | 2013-2014 | 2014-2015 | 2015-2016 | 2016-2017 | 2017-2018 | 2018-2019 | 2019-2020 | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of wins | 1 | 11 | 11 | 22 | 31 | 32 | 24 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 149 |
Cyclo-cross World Cup
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Each of them won a round of the 2014-15 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup.[21][22]Van Aert rode a full 2015-16 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup season, won the opening round in Las Vegas and secured the overall, while Van der Poel had a knee injury and had to skip the first two rounds. He did win the final four. The 2016-17 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup was again dominated by Van Aert, as again Van der Poel missed the opening rounds due to an injury. Van Aert won four of the rounds and the overall, Van der Poel won three of them.
In the 2017-18 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup Van der Poel won the overall as he finally rode a complete season. He won seven rounds, Van Aert beat him in the other two. In 2018-2019 Van der Poel won all six rounds he attended, Van Aert won one, but neither of them won the overall as Toon Aerts had a consistent World Cup season and finished top-4 in all rounds which got him enough points to beat the Big 2.
In the 2019-20 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup Van Aert was not fully recovered from his 2019 Tour de France crash and did not win a round, as Van der Poel won all five of the rounds he contested. Again Toon Aerts secured the overall. The 2020-21 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup season was shortened duo to the Covid pandemic. Van Aert rode all rounds as Van der Poel skipped the first one in Tabor. They both won two rounds, Van Aert won the overall for the third time. In 2021-2022 Van der Poel had a heavy back injury and did not win a round, Van Aert won two rounds. In the 2022-23 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup Van Aert won again two rounds and Van der Poel five.
| Year and race | Best placed rider | Lower placed rider |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 Koksijde | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2015 Hoogerheide | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2015 Koksijde | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2015 Namur | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2015 Zolder | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 8th |
| 2016 Lignières | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2016 Hoogerheide | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2016 Valkenburg | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2016 Zeven | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2016 Namur | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2016 Zolder | Van Aert |
Van der Poel 14th |
| 2017 Las Vegas | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 14th |
| 2017 Iowa | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 7th |
| 2017 Koksijde | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2017 Bogense | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2017 Zeven | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2017 Namur | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2017 Zolder | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2018 Nommay | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2018 Hoogerheide | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2018 Bern | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2018 Tábor | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 7th |
| 2018 Koksijde | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2018 Namur | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2018 Zolder | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2019 Hoogerheide | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2020 Hoogerheide | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 8th |
| 2020 Namur | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2020 Dendermonde | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2021 Hulst | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2021 Overijse | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2021 Dendermonde | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2022 Antwerpen | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2022 Gavere | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2022 Zonhoven | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2023 Benidorm | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
Cyclo-cross Superprestige
| Van Aert | Total |
|---|---|
| Superprestige wins | 12 |
| Superprestige Overall series wins | 1 |
| Van der Poel | Total |
|---|---|
| Superprestige wins | 30 |
| Superprestige Overall series wins | 4 |
| Year and race | Best placed rider | Lower placed rider |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 Hoogstraten | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2015 Middelkerke | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2015 Spa | Van Aert |
Van der Poel 12th |
| 2015 Diegem | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 10th |
| 2016 Hoogstraten | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2016 Middelkerke | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2016 Gieten | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2016 Zonhoven | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2016 Ruddervoorde | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2016 Gavere | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2016 Spa | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2016 Diegem | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2017 Hoogstraten | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2017 Middelkerke | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2017 Gieten | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2017 Zonhoven | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2017 Boom | Van Aert |
Van der Poel 4th |
| 2017 Ruddervoorde | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2017 Gavere | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2017 Diegem | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2018 Hoogstraten | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 6th |
| 2018 Gieten | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2018 Ruddervoorde | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2018 Gavere | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2018 Zonhoven | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2018 Diegem | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 5th |
| 2020 Zolder | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2021 Zolder | Van Aert |
Van der Poel DNF |
| 2022 Zolder | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2022 Diegem | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
Cyclo-cross Trofee
Van Aert raced a full Elite Trofee series in 2014-2015 and won it. Van der Poel did not contest a complete series.[23][24]
| Year and race | Best placed rider | Lower placed rider |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 Ronse | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 7th |
| 2014 Hamme | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2014 Loenhout | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2015 Lille | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2015 Hamme | Van Aert |
Van der Poel 5th |
| 2015 Essen | Van Aert |
Van der Poel 8th |
| 2015 Antwerpen | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2015 Loenhout | Van Aert |
Van der Poel 7th |
| 2016 Sint-Niklaas | Van Aert |
Van der Poel 22nd |
| 2016 Ronse | Van Aert |
Van der Poel 4th |
| 2016 Koppenberg | Van Aert |
Van der Poel 15th |
| 2016 Hamme | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2016 Essen | Van Aert |
Van der Poel 16th |
| 2016 Antwerpen | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2016 Loenhout | Van Aert |
Van der Poel DNF |
| 2017 Lille | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2017 Ronse | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2017 Koppenberg | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 4th |
| 2017 Hamme | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 16th |
| 2017 Antwerpen | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2017 Loenhout | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2018 Baal | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2018 Lille | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 8th |
| 2018 Koppenberg | Van Aert |
Van der Poel 21st |
| 2018 Antwerpen | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2018 Loenhout | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2019 Loenhout | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 5th |
| 2020 Herentals | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2021 Baal | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2021 Hamme | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2022 Herentals | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2022 Koksijde | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
Other races
| Van Aert | Total |
|---|---|
| Other wins | 37 (including 3 World Championships titles and 5 Belgian Championships titles) |
| Van der Poel | Total |
|---|---|
| Other wins | 59 (including 5 World Championships titles, 3 European Championships titles and 6 Dutch Championships titles) |
| Year and race | Best placed rider | Lower placed rider |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 Mol | Van Aert |
Van der Poel 4th |
| 2015 Waregem | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2015 Eeklo | Van Aert |
Van der Poel 5th |
| 2015 Mol | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2016 Meulebeke | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 9th |
| 2016 Boom | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2016 Mol | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2016 Overijse | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2017 Otegem | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 5th |
| 2017 Maldegem | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 4th |
| 2017 Hulst | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2017 Waregem | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2017 Leuven | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 10th |
| 2017 Eeklo | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2017 Meulebeke | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2017 Kruibeke | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2017 Bredene | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2018 Otegem | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2018 Meulebeke | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2018 Wachtebeke | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2019 Otegem | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2020 Zonnebeke | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2022 Mol | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2022 Loenhout | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
UCI Men's Elite Cyclo-cross World Championships
The 2023 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Hoogerheide was decided in the last lap. Van der Poel outsmarted Van Aert by not sprinting after the barriers, but focussing on the final sprint. He made the first kick in the straight uphill and won in his backyard.
In all UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships – Men's elite races they both contested, one of them won the race.[25][26]
| Year and category | Best placed rider | Lower placed rider |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2016 | Van Aert |
Van der Poel 5th |
| 2017 | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2018 | Van Aert |
Van der Poel |
| 2019 | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2020 | Van der Poel |
Van Aert 4th |
| 2021 | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2023 | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
UEC Men's Elite Cyclo-cross European Championships
| Year and category | Best placed rider | Lower placed rider |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
| 2018 | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
In the 2021 road race Van Aert was the leader of the Belgian team on homsesoil in Leuven while Remco Evenepoel worked in the leading group. He could not finish the job however and finished eleventh. Van der Poel did not have an ideal preparation after his Tokyo crash during the Cross-country cycling Olympics. He finished eight. In 2022 Van Aert had to sit back in the main peloton and took fourth place in the bunch sprint while Evenepoel soloed to victory in the leading group. Van der Poel had been in prison the night before the race after a hotel incident with some teenage girls and gave up early.
Before the 2023 race they both were the favourites because the course suited them and they both had a smooth preparation. In a war of attrition it was Van der Poel who rode away from the leaders including Van Aert and soloed to victory as Van Aert took the silver medal.
UCI Men's Elite Road Race World Championships
| Year and category | Best placed rider | Lower placed rider |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Van der Poel 8th |
Van Aert 11th |
| 2022 | Van Aert 4th |
Van der Poel DNF |
| 2023 | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
The 2018 European Road Championships in Glasgow were the first major international head-to-head battle between the pair. On a technical course Matteo Trentin won the sprint against silver medalist Van der Poel and bronze medalist Van Aert.
UEC Men's Elite Road Race European Championships
| Year and category | Best placed rider | Lower placed rider |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Van der Poel |
Van Aert |
Monuments
Both Van Aert and Van der Poel have won the Monument Milan-San Remo. Van Aert was the first of them to do so in 2020. It remains his only Monument win. Three years later Van der Poel won the Primavera as well. Van Aert stood on the third spot of the podium twice too, Van der Poel once.
Milan-San Remo results timeline
Only Van der Poel has managed to win the Tour of Flanders, which he achieved on three occasions, as well as finishing second twice. Van Aert has not won the Tour of Flanders, his best placement was second, after losing a sprint against Van der Poel in 2020.
Tour of Flanders results timeline
| Tour of Flanders | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van Aert | 9 | 14 | 2 | 6 | — | 4 | — |
| Van der Poel | — | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Van Aert rode in five editions of Paris-Roubaix. His best results are a second place in 2022 and a third place in 2023, the last one after suffering a flat tire on the Carrefour de l'Arbre. Van der Poel won that edition after securing a third place in 2021, as well as winning in 2024.
Paris-Roubaix results timeline
| Paris-Roubaix | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van Aert | 13 | 22 | NH | 7 | 2 | 3 | — |
| Van der Poel | — | — | NH | 3 | 9 | 1 | 1 |
Van der Poel rode Liège-Bastogne-Liège in the pandemic season 2020 after he won the 2020 BinckBank Tour queen stage and general classification the day before. He conquered a sixth place in his only attempt. Van Aert also rode Liège once, in 2022, after having to miss the 2022 Tour of Flanders due to a Covid infection. He managed to conquer a podium spot in his only attempt.
Liège-Bastogne-Liège results timeline
Only Van der Poel has ridden Il Lombardia, in the pandemic season 2020. He suffered on the long and steep Muro di Sormano and ended in tenth place. After this Top Ten place he also secured a sixth place in Liége, a 5th place in 2021 Milan-San Remo, a first and a second place in the Tour of Flanders and a third place at the 2021 Paris-Roubaix in 14 months, being the second fastest to Top Ten in all 5 Monuments. Only Eddy Merckx reached this milestone sooner, in 13 months.
Giro di Lombardia results timeline
Both Van Aert and Van der Poel won some of the major classics, including cycling Monument Milan-San Remo, the Strade Bianche and the Amstel Gold Race. The only stage race they both were victorious is the Tour of Britain and they both won one stage (Van der Poel) or multiple stages (Van Aert even won 9) in the Tour de France.
Road races both won
| Year and winner | Race | Both in race |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Van Aert |
 Strade Bianche |
Yes |
| 2021 Van der Poel |
Strade Bianche |
Yes |
| 2020, 2021 Van der Poel |
Tirreno-Adriatico stages (3) |
In 2021 |
| 2021 Van Aert |
Tirreno-Adriatico stages (2) |
Yes |
| 2020 Milan-San Remo Van Aert |
Milan-San Remo |
Yes |
| 2023 Van der Poel |
Milan-San Remo |
Yes |
| 2019 Van der Poel |
Amstel Gold Race |
Yes |
| 2021 Van Aert |
Amstel Gold Race |
No |
| 2016 Van Aert |
Tour of Belgium stage |
No |
| 2017, 2023 Van der Poel |
Tour of Belgium stages (2) |
In 2017 |
| 2014, 2018 Van der Poel |
Ronde van Limburg |
In 2014 |
| 2017 Van Aert |
Ronde van Limburg |
Yes |
| 2018, 2020 Van der Poel |
National Road Race Championships |
No |
| 2021 Van Aert |
National Road Race Championships |
No |
| 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 Van Aert |
 Tour de France stages (9) |
In 2022 |
| 2021 Van der Poel |
Tour de France stage |
Yes |
| 2019 Van der Poel |
 Tour of Britain |
No |
| 2021, 2023 Van Aert |
Tour of Britain |
No |
- "Van Aert vs. Van der Poel: A Rivalry for the Ages". welovecycling.com. Siegfried Mortkowitz. 12 April 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- "Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert: The anatomy of a rivalry". Cyclingnews.com. Patrick Fletcher. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- "Wout van Aert v. Mathieu van der Poel - a truly rare and iconic sporting rivalry". cyclingweekly.com. Tom Thewlis. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ""Wout en Mathieu kunnen geen vrienden meer zijn": hoe megatalent Van der Poel en getransformeerde Van Aert door de jaren heen elkaars rivalen werden". Bart Audoore. 31 January 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- "Onze chef wielrennen ziet hoe rivaliteit tussen Van Aert en Van der Poel scherper kantje krijgt: "Zo hebben de twee nog nooit tegen elkaar gestaan"". hln.be. Marc Ghyselinck. 11 October 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- Ballinger, Alex (13 November 2019). "Tour de France legend Raymond Poulidor has died". Cycling Weekly. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- "Smaakmakers met koers in genen: 'Ome' Van Aert en vaders Evenepoel en Van der Poel deelden in 1994 ploeg". bd.nl. Brabants Dagblad. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- "Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert: The anatomy of a rivalry". Cyclingnews.com. Patrick Fletcher. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- "Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert: The anatomy of a rivalry". Cyclingnews.com. Patrick Fletcher. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- "Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert: The anatomy of a rivalry". Cyclingnews.com. Patrick Fletcher. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- "Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert: The anatomy of a rivalry". Cyclingnews.com. Patrick Fletcher. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- "Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert: The anatomy of a rivalry". Cyclingnews.com. Patrick Fletcher. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- "THE VAN DER POEL-VAN AERT RIVALRY: "IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO BE FRIENDS"". lacourseentete.com. Peter Cossins. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- Wout van Aert at Cycling Archives. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- Mathieu van der Poel at Cycling Archives. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- Wout van Aert at Cycling Archives. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- Mathieu van der Poel at Cycling Archives. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- "Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert: The anatomy of a rivalry". Cyclingnews.com. Patrick Fletcher. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- Wout van Aert at Cycling Archives. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- Mathieu van der Poel at Cycling Archives. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- Wout van Aert at Cycling Archives. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- Mathieu van der Poel at Cycling Archives. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- Wout van Aert at Cycling Archives. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- Mathieu van der Poel at Cycling Archives. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- Wout van Aert at Cycling Archives. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- Mathieu van der Poel at Cycling Archives. Retrieved 8 September 2023.