“Our Getaway”: Wout van Aert and Wife Sarah De Bie Unwind in Rome After a Grueling Season
After enduring one of the most demanding and eventful seasons of his professional cycling career, Belgian star Wout van Aert finally took some well-deserved time off. The 31-year-old Jumbo–Visma rider, known for his relentless work ethic and all-round versatility, wrapped up a season filled with both triumphs and challenges — one that tested his physical limits and mental endurance — before jetting off with his wife Sarah De Bie for a quiet, intimate escape to the romantic heart of Italy: Rome.
Van Aert’s 2025 season had been far from ordinary. It began with uncertainty, as he was forced to restart his preparations completely from scratch following the knee injury he suffered during the 2024 Vuelta a España. That setback cast early doubts over his form for the new season, but the Belgian ace returned stronger than expected. Determined to make up for lost time, he put together a punishing spring calendar that would eventually include two Grand Tours — a rare and grueling double even for a rider of his caliber.
Throughout the season, Van Aert’s name remained synonymous with perseverance. His comeback narrative, marked by flashes of brilliance and near-misses at major Classics, became a defining storyline of 2025. Despite a taxing schedule that saw him compete across continents and terrains, the Belgian still managed to showcase his trademark power and tactical brilliance.
When his long campaign finally came to an end — with his final race on September 20th in Canada — Van Aert could finally exhale. With the racing shoes briefly shelved and the roar of crowds replaced by the quiet hum of vacation days, the cycling star turned his focus to something far more personal: quality time with his wife.
The couple chose Rome, the “Eternal City,” as their perfect retreat. Their trip, which Van Aert humorously described on Instagram as a “Mom and Dad getaway,” appeared to be a child-free escape from the daily chaos of professional and family life. In a photo shared with fans, the couple stood smiling in front of the Palatine Hill, one of the city’s most historic landmarks. The caption hinted that their sons, Georges and Jerome, remained home this time — allowing the pair to enjoy a rare romantic break just for themselves.
For Van Aert, the Roman holiday symbolized both recovery and reconnection — a pause between seasons, and a reminder of the life beyond the peloton. After all, the Belgian superstar’s schedule leaves little room for downtime. With his cyclocross season expected to begin again later in the winter, he and De Bie had only a short window to unwind before training resumes.
Looking back, Van Aert’s results in 2025 tell the story of a rider who may not have lifted as many trophies as in past seasons but still maintained his place among cycling’s elite. He ended the year with two major victories, both spectacular in their own right — victories that embodied the drama and courage for which he is celebrated.
His first win came in the Giro d’Italia, during one of the race’s most thrilling stages — the gravel sector that paid homage to the Strade Bianche, Italy’s famed white roads. Battling through dust, grit, and the chaos of punctures, Van Aert’s triumph on that stage reminded fans why he is considered one of the most complete riders of his generation. But his contribution extended beyond personal glory: later in the Giro, he played a decisive role in helping Simon Yates secure his general classification breakthrough, notably during the grueling climb up the Colle delle Finestre.
Van Aert’s second major success came at the sport’s grandest stage — the Tour de France. For much of the race, he remained just outside the spotlight, often sacrificing his own chances for the team’s greater objectives. Yet, on the final day in Paris, he delivered one of the most stunning performances of the entire Tour. On the redesigned Champs-Élysées circuit, which now included the ascent of Montmartre, Van Aert defied fatigue and competition to become the only rider capable of dropping Tadej Pogačar, the dominant force of modern cycling. His emphatic victory on the closing stage was more than a win — it was a statement. A reminder that even after injury, setbacks, and endless effort, the Belgian powerhouse remains one of the sport’s most dangerous men when the finish line is in sight.
Still, 2025 was not without its frustrations. Van Aert came agonizingly close to victories in several of cycling’s prestigious Classics, proving his consistency but also his heartbreak. He took second place at both Brabantse Pijl and Dwars door Vlaanderen, races where he was narrowly beaten in the final sprints. Meanwhile, at the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, and Amstel Gold Race, he finished fourth — results that underscored how fiercely competitive the season had been and how thin the margins are between triumph and disappointment in top-level cycling.
But if there’s one thing Van Aert’s fans have learned, it’s that the Belgian rarely stays down for long. His approach to both victory and defeat is grounded in resilience, humility, and an unwavering desire to improve. Those qualities have earned him immense respect within the peloton and adoration from supporters worldwide.
Now, as autumn settles in, Van Aert’s focus temporarily shifts away from watts, tactics, and podiums. In Rome, the rhythm of his days is replaced by leisurely walks through ancient ruins, quiet dinners under candlelight, and perhaps, a gelato or two shared with Sarah as they watch the sun set over the Tiber River. For a couple accustomed to the pressures of fame and competition, these moments of simplicity mean everything.
And while the world of cycling eagerly awaits Van Aert’s return to cyclocross — and his inevitable push for more victories in 2026 — for now, he’s simply a husband on holiday, taking a breath before the next storm of competition begins.
As he captioned his post, it was indeed “our getaway” — not just from racing, but from everything that comes with being one of the most recognizable figures in the sport. A brief but meaningful interlude of peace before he once again straps on his helmet, clips into his pedals, and races headlong into history.