"He just absolutely loves it" – Wout van Aert tipped for 15-race cyclocross winter despite last season's horror crash against Mathieu van der Poel

Wout van Aert could be set for his busiest cyclocross winter in years, despite the ankle fracture that brought his previous campaign to a painful end during a battle with Mathieu van der Poel. The Belgian has already confirmed his intention to return to the discipline, but Eurosport commentator Jeroen Vanbelleghem believes his enthusiasm for racing could see him make as many as 15 appearances over the coming months.

Van Aert's last cyclocross outing ended on 2 January, when he crashed on a slippery section of the snow-covered course in Mol while challenging Van der Poel. The resulting ankle fracture required surgery and immediately ended his winter, cutting short one of his most competitive performances against the Dutchman.

Speaking on Eurosport's Kop over Kop podcast, Vanbelleghem dismissed the suggestion that the risk of another injury should discourage Van Aert from racing cyclocross.

"Risk? He just absolutely loves it," said the Belgian commentator. "I think you'd be taking more away from him by telling him he isn't allowed to race cyclocross than by letting him take those risks. I expect Van Aert to race a lot more than Van der Poel. Maybe ten or fifteen races."

Such a schedule would represent a substantial increase for the Team Visma | Lease a Bike star, whose cyclocross appearances have become increasingly selective as his road ambitions have grown. He completed just six races last winter before the crash in Mol, having already planned a relatively limited campaign.

During a virtual ROUVY group ride earlier this month, Van Aert confirmed that he would race cyclocross again but stopped short of announcing where or when he would begin. His programme still needs to be finalised with his trainer and team, with preparations for the 2027 road season remaining a priority.

Former professional Thijs van Amerongen believes Van Aert's successful return to road racing after his ankle injury could encourage him to make more frequent cyclocross appearances.

"I think it worked out really well for Van Aert last year," Van Amerongen said on Kop over Kop. "He might have crashed, but he still had a very good road season. Perhaps he's convinced that cyclocross is good for him and that he won't just do a handful of races."

Despite the disruption caused by his ankle injury, Van Aert went on to secure his long-awaited Paris-Roubaix victory in April, defeating Tadej Pogacar in a sprint at the Roubaix velodrome.

Fellow analyst Bobbie Traksel raised another consideration, suggesting that riding more regularly could help Van Aert maintain his technical sharpness. "I actually think racing less cyclocross can make you less technically sharp," he said. "You need to get a feel for it. In the first few races, you could see everyone trying to find that feeling on the bike."

There could be another incentive for Van Aert to commit to a more substantial winter, particularly with uncertainty continuing over whether Van der Poel will return to defend his world title.

The Dutchman has openly considered stepping away from cyclocross after claiming a record eighth rainbow jersey in Hulst earlier this year. With the birth of his first child also expected in January, he has yet to confirm his plans for the World Championships in Ostend.

"Perhaps Van Aert feels there's a chance for him at the World Championships," Traksel suggested. "I think everyone is waiting to hear what Van der Poel's cyclocross winter is going to look like."

Van Aert has not claimed the rainbow jersey since completing three successive world titles in 2018, while Van der Poel has won the last four editions. Their most recent World Championship meeting came in Liévin in 2025, where the Belgian finished runner-up.

Van Amerongen, however, expects Van der Poel to return even if his schedule is restricted to only a few appearances. "He'll still race cyclocross," he predicted. "Perhaps he'll only do three or four races. That would be enough for him. Let's also hope Van Aert is back, that he's fit and that he doesn't crash."

Neither rider has confirmed an appearance at the World Championships on 31 January 2027, although Ostend would be a familiar battleground. Van der Poel defeated Van Aert there in 2021, claiming his fifth world title on a course featuring demanding stretches of sand.

There is still the question of how a potentially expanded winter would fit into Van Aert's preparations for the spring Classics. Having finally conquered Paris-Roubaix this year, he has made no secret of his desire to add the Tour of Flanders to his palmares in 2027. With his team yet to determine his cyclocross schedule, the coming weeks will establish whether Vanbelleghem's prediction of a considerably busier winter proves accurate.