Wout van Aert’s winter season in cyclocross may have come to a close, but the Belgian cycling star has a few promises to make to his loyal fans, specifically regarding his future in the sport. While his appearance at the World Championships in Liévin resulted in a second-place finish and a silver medal, it’s clear that Van Aert’s focus now shifts firmly toward the road.
After a winter packed with cyclocross action, Van Aert took a step back from the discipline to concentrate on his main goal: road racing. The decision to return to cyclocross for the World Championships was made at the last minute, but with that behind him, Van Aert is ready to fully commit to the upcoming road season. In fact, he will head to Mallorca this Wednesday for a final training camp ahead of a packed spring calendar.
Van Aert’s first race of the 2025 season will be the Clásica Jaén on February 14, followed by the Tour of Algarve. The Belgian powerhouse will then target the opening road classics of the season, including De Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. As we’ve seen before, Van Aert is determined to make his mark on the road, where he has experienced notable success in recent years.
Despite his success in cyclocross, Van Aert has made it clear that his future lies primarily in road racing. He explained that the intense training required for cyclocross races takes a toll on his preparation for the road. “A month of cyclocross – even though it has its advantages – is simply a month lost in terms of training on the road,” he admitted. For Van Aert, finding the right balance between the two disciplines has been a challenge, and now, his focus will be solely on the road for the upcoming spring.
But, perhaps surprisingly for his fans, Van Aert revealed he may return to cyclocross in the future. Reflecting on his career, he promised that at the end of his professional journey, he could see himself racing in a limited number of cyclocross events. “At the end of my career, I think I’ll do twelve to fifteen races,” he stated. While it remains to be seen when this will happen, it gives fans a glimmer of hope that the two-time World Champion may make a comeback to the muddy fields in the distant future.
Van Aert’s primary focus for the 2025 season, however, is the road. Looking back at his preparation last year, Van Aert expressed confidence in the program that helped him achieve some of the best form of his career, before a crash temporarily derailed his momentum. With similar plans in place for 2025, the Belgian star is eager to return to competition and begin what he hopes will be a successful season.
With a clear roadmap ahead, Wout van Aert’s road to spring racing looks promising, and his commitment to delivering his best performance is undeniable.
