Wout van Aert is back! Belgian star set to return at Tour of Denmark in build-up for Vuelta a España
CyclingSunday, 26 July 2026 at 06:00
Wout van Aert is ready to return to competition after nearly two months on the sidelines. The Belgian star is expected to make his comeback at the Tour of Denmark next week, using the five-day stage race as his final preparation before targeting the Vuelta a España later this summer.
Tour of Denmark to mark Van Aert's return
According to reports from Belgian media, Van Aert will line up at the Tour of Denmark, which begins on Wednesday, July 29, marking his first race since withdrawing from the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and ultimately missing the Tour de France.
The Visma | Lease a Bike rider was initially dealing with an elbow injury sustained during a training crash before the Critérium du Dauphiné. However, the situation worsened after an infection developed in the wound, forcing him to abandon his Tour ambitions.
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Unable to train properly and having missed the team's altitude camp, Visma | Lease a Bike opted to shift Van Aert's focus toward the second half of the season, with the Vuelta a España becoming his primary objective.
In recent weeks, the Belgian has steadily increased his training load, including a six-hour gravel ride around Livigno, signaling that his recovery is progressing well ahead of his return to racing.
Wout van Aert on stage 5 of the 2026 Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Building toward the Vuelta after missing the Tour
The Tour of Denmark also holds good memories for Van Aert. He made his debut in the race back in 2018 while riding for Vérandas Willems-Crelan and immediately claimed the overall victory. During that edition, he also won the second stage and helped teammate Tim Merlier secure two sprint victories and the points classification.
Before his injury setback, Van Aert's season had shown signs of turning around. After struggling early at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, he bounced back with victory on the fifth stage. That success followed the biggest triumph of his career earlier this spring, when he defeated Tadej Pogacar to win Paris-Roubaix.
The Belgian is now expected to continue his build-up toward the Vuelta a España, where he hopes to replicate his outstanding 2024 debut. That year, he claimed three stage victories before crashing out and abandoning on stage 16, which was his last raceday of the season.
Following the Vuelta, Van Aert is also expected to represent Belgium at the UCI Road World Championships in Montreal, where he is set to be part of a powerful national team aiming to challenge defending world champion Tadej Pogacar.
Félix SernaCycling Journalist
Félix Serna is a writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2025. He covers professional cycling across both the men’s and women’s calendars, with a focus on UCI rankings, race developments, and rider performance. His work includes interview-based reports, liveblogs, and tournament coverage designed to provide clear, accurate context throughout the season.
In his reporting, Félix regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical reference. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
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