Wout van Aert's reduced cyclocross calendar confirmed by Jumbo-Visma; seemingly no Belgian or World Championships

Wout van Aert has to be one of the busiest cyclists on the planet. The multi-discipline star is almost always racing his bike somewhere. This winter though, the Belgian has confirmed a lesser Cyclocross calendar.

"It's a conscious decision to do a shorter programme," the 29-year-old Belgian says in conversation with the Jumbo-Visma website. "Last year, I found it mentally difficult to focus on the cyclocross season and then move on to the spring. I didn't want to leave anything to chance with the spring classics. That is why, with a heavy heart, I am riding a more limited programme."

"It will definitely be difficult to reach a high level," continues the man who finished runner-up to Mathieu van der Poel at the 2023 Cyclocross World Championships. "I have a few races to get in shape, and then it will stop already. I hope to prove myself during these races. For the first time, it will be different from what I am used to, but with a higher goal in mind."

The first race for van Aert will take place on December 9th in Essen, with there then being a thirteen day break before his second outing in Mol which kickstarts a busy festive period including Antwerpen on December 23rd, Gavere on December 26th and Heusden-Holder on December 27th.

In the new year, Hulst, Baal and Koksijde are announced although both Benidorm and Zonhoven are pencilled in, subject to change. Notably absent from his calendar are both the Belgian Championships and the World Championships. Whilst it doesn't expressly say on the Jumbo-Visma site that van Aert will skip these races, their absence from his calendar is indeed notable.