Wout van Aert Dominates Marly Grav in Winning Return to Racing

Just four weeks after his victory on the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix, Wout van Aert has returned to competition with a commanding performance at the Marly Grav in the Netherlands. The Visma-Lease a Bike star showcased his versatility by securing a victory in the UCI Gravel World Series event, blending raw power with the technical bike handling that has defined his career.

A Masterclass in Off-Road Power

The 150km race proved to be a tactical battle that culminated in a decisive solo effort. Van Aert spent much of the race positioned near the front to minimize risk, a strategy he noted was essential for staying out of trouble. As the field winnowed down to a leading group of six, the Belgian rider identified a challenging gravel section to launch his attack.

“I felt I still had something left in the tank and tried to accelerate on one of the tougher sections. That was a good moment,” Van Aert said of the move.

The acceleration was immediate and devastating. Van Aert kicked clear of the group and maintained a solo lead for the final 22km of the race. He crossed the finish line 44 seconds ahead of Niels Vandeputte of the Alpecin-Premier Tech Development Team, with Rick Ottema (EEW-VDK Cyclingteam) and Florian Vermeersch finishing a further second behind Vandeputte.

Overcoming the World Champion

The victory was particularly significant given the caliber of the competition. Van Aert faced off against Florian Vermeersch, the reigning world gravel champion riding for UAE Emirates-XRG. While Vermeersch sported the rainbow jersey, Van Aert’s experience as a multiple world cyclocross champion provided the edge needed to navigate the technical terrain and sustain a high pace over the closing distance.

Despite his success today, gravel racing remains a smaller part of Van Aert’s extensive portfolio. His previous highlights in the discipline include a 2023 victory at the Houffa Gravel race in Belgium—another UCI Gravel World Series event—and an eighth-place finish at the Gravel World Championships.

Lorena Wiebes Claims Women’s Title

The women’s event saw an equally impressive return to form from reigning world champion Lorena Wiebes. Riding for SD Worx-Protime, Wiebes secured the victory in a sprint finish, marking her own successful return to competition following a break.

Wiebes took the top spot ahead of a competitive field that included Larissa Hartog of Canyon x DT Swiss All-Terrain Racing and Ilse Pluimers of the AG Insurance – Soudal Team.

Key Takeaways: Marly Grav Results

• Men’s Winner: Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) via a 22km solo break.
• Men’s Podium: 1st: Wout van Aert, 2nd: Niels Vandeputte, 3rd: Rick Ottema.
• Women’s Winner: Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) via sprint finish.
• Race Distance: 150km.
• Series: UCI Gravel World Series.

Looking Ahead

Van Aert’s victory underscores his current peak form and his ability to transition between road, cyclocross, and gravel surfaces with ease. For the Belgian rider, the Marly Grav has sparked a renewed interest in the discipline.

“It’s a completely different kind of race to what I’m used to,” Van Aert remarked. “It’s great to be able to compete in such a fair race and put my off-road skills to good use. I’ll definitely be taking part more often.”