The star-studded lineup for the Vuelta a España remains uncertain a week after the start of the season, but one thing is certain: Wout Van Aert will be on the starting grid next Saturday in Lisbon.

The Vuelta has been on Van Aert's schedule since the start of the season, and despite a huge crash at Dwars Door Hlaanderen that ended his Classics campaign early and forced him to miss the Giro d'Italia, his intentions have not changed.

After missing the Corsa Rosa, Van Aat was appointed to represent the Tour de France in the Visma Ries a Bike and supported Jonas Vingegaard, but his own quest for a stage win was frustrated.

Van Aert won a bronze medal in the time trial at the 2024 Paris Olympics and was instrumental in his compatriot Remco Evenpole's victory in the road race.

The Belgian's busy summer will continue at the Vuelta, which begins on Saturday, August 17, as he aims for his first victory since February's Coone Brussel-Coulomb.

"The races this summer will of course be very fast paced for Wout, but that has been discussed and planned," Visma director sportif Grischa Niermann told Sporza. It was Wout's clear desire to run the Vuelta after the Tour."

"Wout is very motivated to prove himself again this year. As a team, we will do everything we can to help him win a stage in the Vuelta. He deserves it."

When Van Aat's plans to race the Giro and Vuelta first surfaced last winter, there was speculation that the Belgian was also considering challenging for the overall classification in one of the two Grand Tours.

Niermann confirmed that Van Aert's only goal in Spain was to chase a stage win, with defending champion Zep Cus leading their challenge in the overall classification.

Despite Kuss's ambitions, Van Aert will likely enjoy a more liberal role in the Vuelta than in the Tour.

"Sepp is the reigning champion, but he is not the leading contender to win this Vuelta.

"In the Tour, there were 2.5 favorites to win and one of them was Jonas Vingegaard. In the Vuelta, six or seven teams can take the final victory. In Spain, there is no need to control a mountain stage from 0 km.

This means that Van Aert is free to go for stage wins in group sprints, transition stages, and the opening time trial in Lisbon.

"Wout has a lot of opportunities, ideally more than five," said Niermann, dismissing the idea that Van Aert, who is in good shape for the world championships in Zurich, will leave the Vuelta early.

"The last time trial in Madrid is also set up for him, so I don't see it that way," Niermann said.

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