Toon Aerts signs with Deschacht-Hens-Maes and will return to cyclocross racing on the 17th of February

Less than two months for Toon Aert's return to cyclocross. The Belgian has had a long saga with the suspension that he was attributed to the use of Letrozole, but it ends this February as he's a confirmed signing of Deschacht-Hens-Maes.

“After the first conversations, I immediately had a good feeling about this team. It is the ideal environment for me to get back into the cyclo-cross world and draw a definitive line under the past two years," Aerts said. He will be teaming up with the likes of veterans Corné van Kessel and Daan Soete, and likely become the headliner of the Belgian team. He will make his return on the race in Sint-Niklaas on the February 17th, and will also race in Brussels the following day, as well as the closing cross of the season in Oostmalle on the 25th of February.

Aerts was suspended by a positive Letrozole test after the Flamanville World Cup almost two years now. He heavily disputed the accusations but was unable to prove his innocence. His contract with Baloise - Trek Lions was terminated but he never stopped training and until recent months he was still making an effort to end his suspension. Whilst it takes him out of most of the 2023-2024 season, the Belgian will actually still make a comeback during the ongoing season.

“Hopefully, with my track record and experience, I can help the team take another step towards podiums and victories at the highest level," he says of the team that has now put trust into the 30-year old. "I am already looking forward to the three races that I can still complete this cyclocross season, but also further into the summer with a combination of road and gravel races, with the Belgian national gravel championships in Turnhout being a great challenge in my own region.”