Is Wout van Aert set for imminent cyclocross comeback? Belgian returns to training with intriguing Strava upload
Cyclocross
After a month of rest, Wout van Aert is back on the bike — and, if his latest Strava post is anything to go by, the build-up to another cyclocross campaign has quietly begun.
The Team Visma | Lease a Bike rider logged a 107-kilometre ride on Tuesday morning, his first since the Super 8 Classic on 20 September. Titled “Krampachtig” (“Cramped”), the three-hour spin through the Belgian countryside marked the official end of his off-season. For followers on Strava, it was a reassuring sign that one of the sport’s most versatile riders is turning his attention back to serious work.
Van Aert had remained largely absent from training updates in recent weeks, save for a single 10-kilometre run and a handful of relaxed holiday photos from Rome. But with winter approaching, the return of regular rides is often the clearest indication that cyclocross mode is near.
Earlier start expected this winter
The 31-year-old has already confirmed that he plans to return to the mud earlier this season than last, when he didn’t debut until the Loenhout Azencross on 27 December. His precise race calendar is yet to be announced, but all signs suggest a December start — potentially aligning with early-season World Cups or traditional festive classics like Mol and Heusden-Zolder.
Should that be the case, Van Aert is likely to once again renew his rivalry with Mathieu van der Poel, whose own cyclocross programme is expected to be equally selective. The pair have defined the discipline’s modern era, with Van Aert’s three world titles (2016–2018) and Van der Poel’s record-equalling seven forming one of cycling’s most compelling contrasts in style and supremacy.
A return to roots — with road benefits
Although his primary focus remains on the road — where 2025 saw him return to form after a disrupted spring — Van Aert has long credited cyclocross with sharpening the explosive power and bike handling that underpin his classics success. His short but intense winters have become carefully managed preparation blocks for the early-season road races, particularly the Monuments.
Whether this winter brings another tilt at the rainbow stripes or simply a tune-up for 2026, Van Aert’s first 100-kilometre ride back is a reminder that his competitive instincts never rest for long. The off-season may be over — and the mud may soon be calling again.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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