VIDEO: Wout Van Aert shows off perfect knowledge of Belgian gravel Championships course
GravelSunday, 16 August 2026 at 01:00
Wout Van Aert holds it no secret that the late part of his season will include, besides Vuelta a Espana, gravel. In fact, he might get himself covered in mud before the cyclocross season even begins.
Taking place this weekend will be the Belgian gravel Championships with Van Aert as the main star taking to the start.
And even though the exact course is kept a secret at this point, Van Aert, who lives in the area, has a very good idea about the organizers' intentions for this Sunday and thus set out for a recon ride of the most likely to-be-used trails.
During his reconnaissance yesterday, he has been accompanied by regular training partners Daan Soete and Jan Bakelants.
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"The Grobbendonk course holds no secrets for the Kempen natives," Soete added on Instagram, where you can already catch a glimpse of the technical course in the wheel of 'WVA' and co.
"No expense spared in the Bakelants corner," Van Aert himself mysteriously titled his Strava activity.
Nothing less than a title will count
The Belgian makes it clear that anything other than being awarded the tricolor jersey at the end of tomorrow's race would be considered a failure. His rivals have been warned, for he also picked up a few KOMs along the way.
The 31-year-old is definitely hungry for more victories after his three stage wins and GC triumph at the Tour of Denmark two weeks prior. Before the Vuelta, winning a national title could provide the final touch of good mood in Van Aert's preparation.
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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- If he doesn't want to do a race he shouldn't, he is the second best racer in the world, he took a grand tour way back in the Giro. That said I think he wants another gt or two and he's certainly capable of taking another Vuelta, Giro or both, then he'll probably let it go and retire at the end of 2028, he will also keep trying to win a Tour as long as he's racing. Of course, if he is capable of taking a Tour de France over the next two seasons, he should take the money, jump teams and race for two more years after 2027 or 2028. Another piece of context, if Richard Plugge has his way, Seixas will be wearing Visma colors next year. That may also change Vingegaard's outlook as well.awp16-08-2026
- Carapaz had a great Tour, he's trying to cash in on that and I can't blame him. He has two years at most but probably only one year left in the peloton. I hope he can get maximum value and retire with a little more money in the bank than he has today. When he's on he's on and he can light up race.awp16-08-2026
- Van Aert has two monuments, not none. I can understand forgetting that he won San Remo in 2020, but what sort of cycling "journalist" could forget this year's Paris-Roubaix?jacks9015-08-2026
- Sadly i think Vingegaard will isnt in cycling as much as it needs to anymore, his will and desire judging by his wife comment and Jonas will to race. Going forward I dont expect Jonas to challenge the like of Remco, Del Toro and Seixas moremiguel15-08-2026
- agree, but EVERYONE knows what carapaz is about, the freedom he needs to choose his own moments, etc. i can’t imagine any team signing him and not flowing with his vibe. at least i hope not. gotta love the pure gunslingers out there.OCexile15-08-2026
- I was comparing to Demi and surely you’ll agree if performance and results were what mattered they would have tried to keep Demi and given Lotte a helping hand to find a team where she could lead. No disrespect to her achievements at all. It was like pushing Tadej to leave and counting on AyusoMistermaumau15-08-2026
- Trine seems a lot smarter than most. Maybe you got stuck with a wife who forced you to go work your ass off for years only for you to have no energy for anything meaningful after work, no memories of being there through those thousands of beautiful little moments when kids learn or create, for retirement, etc. or maybe she already left you and Pog is your Ersatz? I admire him, already for having had the courage to have children and try to be a good father with the career he had AND still performing as one of the best ever stage riders. Can’t think of anyone else who so successfully combined two so diametrically opposed activities. Perhaps he’ll also be an exception and not become one of those old jealous moany farts cycling produces so many of because after (re)cycling they have nothing tangible in their lives. Of course, as a fan you would never think of the human side behind racing would you, but you’ll realise later, about things in your own life too, usually when it’s too late to change.Mistermaumau15-08-2026
- American?Mistermaumau15-08-2026
- Actually, you’ll find that subset of fans consists almost entirely of UAE groupies.Mistermaumau15-08-2026
- Did Pogi pay him, or UAE? I think you’re mixing up a few details with your premature emotioculation.Mistermaumau15-08-2026
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