“He was considering it” – But Van Aert decides against Belgian Gravel Championships

Despite early indications that he might take part, Wout van Aert will not line up for this year’s Belgian Gravel Championships. The race, scheduled for Sunday in the Kempen region, just a short distance from his hometown of Herentals, seemed a natural fit for the rider’s skills. However, his team, Team Visma | Lease a Bike, has decided against his participation, prioritising his upcoming road commitments.

Organiser Erwin Vervecken explained the situation. “We contacted his team management several times because we didn't want to bother him ourselves. We were hoping he'd add the Belgian Championship to his schedule at the last minute, as we'd heard everywhere that he was considering it,” he told media.

Van Aert, a regular on his gravel bike, would have been among the race favourites thanks to his combination of road power and cyclocross handling. The discipline has proven fruitful for his main rival Mathieu van der Poel, who claimed last year’s gravel world title without having raced in any gravel events beforehand in 2024. The setting in Kempen, so close to Van Aert’s base, only added to the expectation.

“I was with him, and he told me he was really looking forward to it. But he still had to get permission and consult with his team and coach,” Vervecken continued. “The final leg of his season starts on August 20th with the Tour of Germany, and it had to fit into that schedule. He just had to do it because he loves it, and if it fit into the schedule. He also raced in Houffalize two years ago. If there's one discipline that suits him best as a rider, it's gravel. Such a long, strenuous effort, requiring good steering skills, suits him perfectly.”

With his next race confirmed as the Lidl Germany Tour starting August 20, Van Aert will now focus fully on the road season’s closing stretch. His absence opens the door for other contenders to take the spotlight in the Belgian Gravel Championships, with big names such as Tim Merlier and defending champion Gianni Vermeersch set to compete for the national title.