Former Tour de France stage winner Wout van Aert has signed a contract extension with Visma-Lease a Bike until he retires, the Dutch team announced on Wednesday.

Belgian Van Aert, 30, has also won multiple one-day races and helped teammate Jonas Vingegaard to the 2023 Tour title since joining the outfit in 2019.

Van Aert's Decision To Stay

Van Aert had been linked with a move to ambitious Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe, as the energy sports drink is also one of his personal sponsors.

"I didn't have to think long when this idea came up," Van Aert said in a team statement.

"This team is unique and has suited me for five years, and I want to keep it that way. That's why I decided to stay here forever, and that feels really good," he added without providing an exact date for the end of the deal.

A Palmarès To Remember

Van Aert has also claimed three cyclo-cross world championships and won three stages in this year's Vuelta a España before he was forced to drop out with injury.

"Wout is of course a fantastic rider with a great palmarès," Visma sporting director Richard Plugge said.

"He is an all-rounder: a sprinter, a classic rider, a time trialist, and on his best days, he also wins a mountain stage like the famous victory on Mont Ventoux in the Tour de France. Wout has really become an indispensable link in our team," he added.

Missing The World Championships

Van Aert will miss this month's road world championship in Zurich due to the injuries suffered at the Vuelta.