"Watch out: it's more than just preparation" - Wout van Aert's training partner insists returning star is ready to compete for victory at Azencross Loenhout

This afternoon at Azencross Loenhout, Wout van Aert is back in action! After nearly four months away from competition following his crash at the Vuelta a Espana, Van Aert returns to the cyclocross field with an immediate battle against arch-rival Mathieu van der Poel.

Despite the announcement of Van Aert's imminent return having been known for some time now, according to Team Visma | Lease a Bike superstar's training partner, Daan Soete, Van Aert only action began to prepare for cyclocross last Friday! "Yes, we went training in the forest in the morning," Soete explains to Sporza. "That's always the moment to get all your equipment in order. Wout had to get used to the bends, the sand and those flatter tires again. I noticed that it wasn't going as smoothly as after three races. But I did feel: after half an hour his experience came to the surface again. He will have regained the good feeling on the bike in Mol."

"That the basis is definitely okay. Wout is always fast at a decent level if he can train well for a few weeks. I immediately felt that the pace is still in his legs," Soete adds, confident in Van Aert's level, despite the real seriousness of his injuries sustained in the Vuelta crash. "I think the first few weeks after his injury in the Vuelta were not pleasant. I have rarely seen someone so badly injured without suffering fractures. It was almost a war wound."

That's not to say that Van Aert was complaining about the injury or looking for excuses though. "He certainly didn't complain to me about it. I can assume that you fall behind after such an injury. Although I do think that he has largely made up for that," Soete explains. "Judging by his pace on Strava, it doesn't seem to bother him too much. He's definitely not going to be passed."

As mentioned, the looming presence of Van der Poel is heavily in the focus as Van Aert returns to racing in Loenhout. According to Soete though, Van Aert can't simply be measured against his old rival, given their differences if preparation for this winter. "Wout will mainly measure himself on his feeling in the cross. How deep can he go and how quickly does he recover after a heavy effort?" Soete explains. "He is experienced enough to be concerned with himself. The return of that injury is difficult in itself. Then you should not worry about anyone else. Mathieu will probably be on a different level, because he didn't have to rehabilitate. Still, it will be fun for Wout to have an intermediate goal for a while."

Nevertheless, Soete is expecting Van Aert to make an impact. "Watch out: it's more than just preparation. Something is always expected of Wout and Mathieu in the field. If there is an audience, you don't want to finish 15th. That way, the knife is always between your teeth." he concludes.