In the world of professional cycling, the "mountain goat" is the archetype. We’re used to seeing tiny, wiry riders like Jonas Vingegaard or Remco Evenepoel—men who look like they might blow away in a stiff breeze. Then you see Wout van Aert.
He looks like he’s playing a different sport.
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When Wout stands on a podium next to his rivals, the visual is startling. He’s not just a bit bigger; he’s a different build entirely. But there is a lot of conflicting data floating around the internet about exactly how big the Belgian superstar actually is. Let’s clear the air.
Wout van Aert Height: The Real Numbers
If you’ve spent any time on cycling forums or checking official rosters, you’ve probably seen a few different numbers. Some sites list him at 187 cm, others say 189 cm, and Red Bull—his longtime personal sponsor—often lists him at 191 cm ($6'3"$).
So, which is it?
Most reliable team data from Visma–Lease a Bike and recent UCI measurements place him right at 190 cm (roughly $6$ feet $3$ inches). For a pro cyclist, that is basically a giant. To put that in perspective, the average height in the pro peloton hovers around 175 cm ($5'9"$).
Wout is a massive outlier.
His weight usually sits around 78 kg ($172$ lbs). In a sport where GC (General Classification) contenders are obsessed with dropping down to 60 kg, Wout is carrying nearly $40$ extra pounds of muscle and bone up the mountains. Honestly, it’s a miracle he can climb as well as he does.
Comparing the Big Three
To understand why Wout’s height matters, you have to look at who he’s racing against. The "Big Three" of modern cycling—Van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel, and Tadej Pogačar—are built completely differently.
- Wout van Aert: 190 cm / 78 kg
- Mathieu van der Poel: 184 cm / 75 kg
- Tadej Pogačar: 176 cm / 66 kg
Van der Poel is by no means small, but Wout still towers over him. Pogačar, meanwhile, looks like a junior rider next to them. This height difference is exactly why Wout has to put out such monstrous raw power just to keep up on the steep gradients.
Why Being Tall is a Double-Edged Sword in the Peloton
Being 190 cm in the Tour de France is kinda like being a point guard who is $7$ feet tall in the NBA. It gives you unique advantages, but it makes certain things way harder.
The Wind is the Enemy
Aerodynamics is everything. If you’re taller, you have a larger frontal area. You’re basically a bigger sail for the wind to catch. This is why Wout’s time-trialing ability is so insane. He has to be significantly more flexible and "aero" than a shorter rider to achieve the same speed.
Interestingly, the UCI actually changed the rules in 2023 specifically to help tall riders like Wout. They realized that the old geometry rules for Time Trial bikes were forcing tall guys into cramped, dangerous positions. Now, riders over 190 cm are allowed more "reach" and a higher handlebar stack. Wout and his team were among the first to exploit this, tilting his bars upward to create a "shrugging" aero profile that closes the gap between his head and hands.
The "Small Bike" Secret
You’d think a guy Wout’s size would be on the biggest frame available. Nope.
Wout famously rides a 56 cm Cervélo S5. For context, most guys his height would be on a 58 cm or even a 60 cm frame. Why? It’s about agility. A smaller frame is stiffer, more responsive in sprints, and allows for a more aggressive "drop" from the saddle to the handlebars.
He makes up for the small frame with a massive 130 mm or 140 mm stem and a very high seatpost. It looks a bit goofy if you’re a bike purist, but it’s the secret to his versatility.
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Can a 190 cm Rider Ever Win the Tour de France?
This is the billion-dollar question. People have been arguing about Wout van Aert’s GC potential for years. Can someone that tall actually win a three-week race in the high mountains?
History says it’s possible, but it’s a massive uphill battle (literally).
- Bradley Wiggins won the Tour at 190 cm, but he had to get dangerously thin—dropping to around 69 kg.
- Miguel Induráin was 188 cm and dominated the 90s, but he did it by destroying everyone in Time Trials and just "surviving" the mountains.
The problem for Wout is the competition. In Induráin’s day, the climbers weren't as "scientific" as they are now. Today, Wout has to race against Jonas Vingegaard, who weighs 60 kg. On a 10% grade climb, gravity simply hates the taller man. Every extra centimeter is extra weight that doesn't help you go up.
Basically, for Wout to win a Grand Tour, he’d have to lose his "Wout-ness." He’d lose the explosive sprint that won him the green jersey and the raw power that makes him the king of the Cobbled Classics.
The Cross-Discipline Advantage
Where Wout’s height actually helps is in Cyclocross.
If you watch a muddy CX race, you’ll see Wout using those long legs like levers. When the mud gets deep and everyone has to dismount and run, Wout’s stride length is a massive advantage. He covers more ground with less effort.
In the Spring Classics—races like Paris-Roubaix—his size is also a benefit. Taller, heavier riders tend to "float" over the cobblestones better because they have more momentum and stability. A tiny climber gets bounced around like a pinball on the pavé; Wout just bulldozes through it.
What This Means for You
If you’re a taller cyclist yourself, Wout van Aert is the ultimate blueprint. Most tall guys are told they should just be "the engine" on the flats. Wout proved that you can be 190 cm and still be a world-class climber, a green jersey sprinter, and a time-trial champion.
Actionable Takeaways for Tall Riders:
- Don't fear the small frame: If you have the flexibility, a frame size down with a longer stem can actually improve your handling.
- Focus on the "shrug": Work on bringing your shoulders in and head down to compensate for your larger frontal area.
- Leverage the "Levers": Use your long cranks (Wout usually runs 172.5 mm or 175 mm) to generate torque on steep, punchy climbs where raw power can overcome a weight disadvantage.
Wout van Aert isn't just a great cyclist; he’s a physiological freak of nature who redefined what a "tall" rider can do in the modern era. Whether he ever wins a yellow jersey or not, he’s already proven that being a giant in the peloton is an asset, not a curse.
If you're looking to optimize your own setup, check out the current UCI reach regulations for riders over 190 cm—they might just save your lower back and your aerodynamics at the same time.