Belgian cycling star Wout van Aert has suffered a legal setback after the Belgian Court of Cassation upheld a previous ruling requiring him to pay €662,000 in damages to his former team director, Nick Nuyens. This long-standing legal battle stems from Van Aert’s controversial contract termination in 2018, when he broke ties with Veranda’s Willems–Crelan to join Jumbo-Visma (now Visma–Lease a Bike).
The dispute originated when Van Aert unilaterally ended his contract, citing a “breach of trust” over internal team issues and concerns about the team’s merger plans at the time. Nuyens, then head of the Belgian squad, contested the move and sought financial compensation, arguing the departure violated contractual obligations. In 2021, a Belgian court ruled in Nuyens’ favor, awarding him €662,000 in damages. Van Aert appealed the decision, but the Court of Cassation has now confirmed that he was legally bound by the terms of his original contract and is responsible for the payment.
Importantly, the court clarified that Visma–Lease a Bike, Van Aert’s current team, would not be required to contribute to the compensation. The financial liability rests solely with the rider, adding a significant burden as he continues to manage both the physical and emotional challenges of professional cycling.
This legal ruling adds to a difficult period for Van Aert, who has also been recovering from a series of crashes and injuries over the past two seasons. While he remains one of cycling’s most versatile and respected riders, the financial and psychological toll of this legal outcome could influence his future decisions, both on and off the bike.
Van Aert has yet to issue a public statement in response to the court’s decision. Meanwhile, Nick Nuyens has expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that “justice has been served” after years of legal wrangling. The case sets a notable precedent in professional cycling regarding contractual integrity and athlete management.
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