After a busy and successful season in which he won a stage at both the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France, Wout van Aert is taking a well deserved rest before starting the 2025-2026 cyclocross season.
Before going to the mud, the Belgian star decided to cross the Atlantic ocean and replace the bike with the basketball in the USA, at least for a day. There, he met former NBA star Reggie Miller and shooting coach Chris “Lethal Shooter” Matthews in an event organized by Red Bull and Sram.
Expanding Visma’s footprint in the USA
The American visit included more than just celebrity meet-ups. Van Aert also attended an NBA game with the LA Lakers, rode in a race car, and led a social ride in Los Angeles with Red Bull and , where about 200 cycling fans joined him on the road.
But the trip was not just for fun. Van Aert was also in the USA to strengthen ties with team sponsors and take part in technical meetings at Cervélo’s headquarters, the team’s official bike supplier.
Alongside Van Aert was his French teammate Margaux Vigié. Former teammate and friend Nathan Van Hooydonck, who now works in the team’s commercial department, also joined the visit to help maintain close relations with Cervélo.
“The main reason is visiting a few of our sponsors,” Van Aert told CyclingNews. “I think it's a really good thing to see people in person working here and having a few meetings on the development of the bikes and giving some feedback.”
The trip formed part of Team Visma | Lease a Bike's broader push into the American market. Many of Van Aert’s personal sponsors - Red Bull, Oakley, and Sram - are based in the USA, and the visit allowed the team to reinforce those partnerships while showcasing their star rider.
It had been several years since Van Aert last visited the United States - in fact, he has never competed in an official UCI race there, - but he was pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm of local fans.
"Even though I'm well known in Europe, and already so far away from home, it still feels pretty weird to have a fan base here as well," he said. "My goal is to meet people here and to feel their excitement for us as a team, and me personally as a cyclist. It's a cool opportunity. It's more exciting than an autograph session."
Looking ahead to Los Angeles 2028
Van Aert hinted that he would welcome the chance to race in the USA again soon. "I hope to be racing again here at some point, because I haven't had the chance. I think there is a big platform here for big cycling events. I did the previous two Olympic Games, so for sure, a big target for me is to be here for the L.A. Olympics."
The next Olympics, set to take place from July 30 to August 14, will be hosted by Los Angeles. It will be the third time the city organises the Olympics, after the 1932 and 1984 editions.