Team Visma | Lease a Bike has officially confirmed Wout van
Aert’s much anticipated winter schedule, revealing that he will only
participate in six cyclocross races this season. After a difficult year marked
by his stage 16 crash at the Vuelta a Espana, this limited schedule raises
questions about his readiness to compete at the highest level in cyclocross and
what this means for his broader goals in 2025.
Van Aert, who hasn’t raced since his Vuelta crash, has been
steadily working his way back into form. Despite the setbacks, optimism remains within the cycling community. Current cyclocross national coach Angelo De Clercq expressed confidence in Van Aert’s ability to bounce back.
“In three months, he has
already made serious steps. He remains a top athlete, and I am convinced that
he will be able to compete for the victory,” De Clercq stated, also to Het
Nieuwsblad.
Van Aert’s decision to limit his cyclocross participation
reflects his broader priorities, particularly his preparation for the road
season. He will skip both the Belgian and World Championships to avoid
unnecessary risks, a move that has drawn praise from analysts.
WOut van Aert suffered two serious injuries in 2024
Cyclocross commentator Paul Herygers described Van Aert’s
program as a "wise choice" for both the rider and the sport. “We
should consider ourselves lucky with this. This is a nice program. These six
races are a relief and breath of fresh air for many people. Wout could have
chosen half, right?” Herygers told Sporza.
Though Van Aert’s focus is increasingly on the road, his
cyclocross pedigree remains formidable. The three-time World Cyclocross
Champion last claimed the rainbow jersey in 2018, and while he won’t compete in
the World Championships this season, his participation is still a significant
boost for the discipline.
Now cyclocross fans await to understand when the reining and undisputed champion Mathieu van der Poel will make his return to the field.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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parisbound0008-11-2026 - there needs to be space in life for pointless comments!Ketterechts08-11-2026
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