Two generations of Belgian cycling came together in Ibiza this October when former Classics champion Johan Museeuw crossed paths with Wout van Aert during LeBlanq's Joyride Festival. Their brief encounter produced a light-hearted video in which Museeuw praised Van Aert's Paris-Roubaix victory and encouraged the current star to keep fighting for another of cycling's most prestigious one-day races.

The meeting took place during the four-day festival, held from 15 to 18 October 2026, which brought professional riders, cycling enthusiasts, food experiences and evening entertainment to the island.

Museeuw filmed the exchange himself, creating a short clip that captured Van Aert's reaction to an unexpected tribute from one of Belgium's most celebrated former riders.

Museeuw Praises Van Aert's Paris-Roubaix Victory

Museeuw, widely known as the Lion of Flanders, made clear how pleased he was to see Van Aert win Paris-Roubaix in 2026. The former professional rider expressed his admiration and described himself as a fan of Van Aert, adding that the Belgian did not know this beforehand.

Van Aert responded with a broad smile and thanked Museeuw for the kind words. The exchange was brief, but it brought together a former winner of cycling's major Classics and a rider who has continued to pursue success in the sport's biggest one-day races.

Museeuw's praise carried particular significance given his own record in the spring Classics. His career included victories at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, two races that occupy a special place in Belgian cycling culture.

Advice About Another Great Race

The video also included Museeuw's encouragement for Van Aert to keep fighting for another major race, reflected in the headline's phrase, “Now you have to fight for that other beautiful race.”

The remark fits the long-standing rivalry and connection between the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, the two defining cobbled Classics. However, the exchange should be understood as personal encouragement from Museeuw rather than confirmation of Van Aert's future racing plans.

Van Aert's response remained relaxed and appreciative, with the two riders sharing a friendly moment away from the pressure of professional competition.

Why Van Aert Was in Ibiza

Van Aert travelled to Ibiza to take part in LeBlanq's Joyride Festival, which ran from 15 to 18 October. The Belgian was one of the headline cycling guests, alongside Dutch champion Marianne Vos and former German sprinter Marcel Kittel.

The festival combined organised rides with food, wellness activities and evening entertainment, giving participants opportunities to ride alongside established professionals in a more relaxed environment than a race.

For Van Aert, the visit followed a busy period that included the World Championships in Canada and a holiday on the west coast of the United States. His Ibiza rides provided another opportunity to spend time on the bike before the next phase of his season.

A Meeting Between Generations of Belgian Cycling

Museeuw's encounter with Van Aert offered a small but memorable moment connecting Belgium's cycling heritage with one of its leading contemporary riders.

While their careers belong to different eras, both are closely associated with the country's passion for the spring Classics and the cobbled roads that define races such as Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders.

This time, the conversation took place far from the race course, against the backdrop of an Ibiza festival that brought cycling personalities together for shared rides and social events.

The short video provided a glimpse of the mutual respect between the two riders, with Museeuw offering praise and encouragement and Van Aert accepting it with a smile.