Belgium’s Wout van Aert was set to make his anticipated return to the Superprestige cyclo-cross series at Mol on Monday, December 23. However, unexpected news from his team, Visma | Lease a Bike, surfaced on Sunday afternoon: the Belgian star had fallen ill and would have to miss the race. The news came as a surprise, as nothing had indicated that van Aert was struggling with his health.
In the days leading up to the race, van Aert appeared to be in strong form. On Thursday, he completed a solid lap in tribute to his late fellow townsman, cycling legend Rik Van Looy. The following Monday, van Aert combined a 76-kilometer road ride with a 37-kilometer cyclo-cross training session near Lichtaart, showing his usual commitment to preparation. He trained alongside Belgian champion beach racer Daan Soete and 11-year-old Loic Wynants, son of Visma team manager Maarten Wynants.
Cyclo-cross manager Jan Boven commented on van Aert’s training, saying that the Belgian was looking in good shape. Boven mentioned that van Aert’s session on Friday went smoothly and that the rider was benefiting from the extra workout. Soete also shared his thoughts, noting that van Aert’s cyclo-cross training in the woods was his first of the season, and after about 30 minutes, the Belgian seemed to find his rhythm. The feedback was positive, suggesting van Aert was preparing well for Mol.
However, in the days that followed, things took an unfortunate turn. While van Aert had trained hard, his children at home had already started to feel unwell, and the illness eventually spread to him. Despite a solid 140-kilometer road ride on Saturday from Herentals to Knokke, van Aert’s condition worsened, forcing him to skip the Mol race. The team’s statement indicated that the situation was being monitored closely, but van Aert’s health was the primary focus.
Despite the setback, there is optimism for his upcoming race at Loenhout on December 27. Boven was cautiously optimistic, stating that while van Aert was forced to miss Mol, his condition was improving, and they hoped to see him back in action at Loenhout. The Belgian was also granted some time to enjoy Christmas with his family before focusing on his next race. The team is taking things day by day, and with Loenhout just a few days away, van Aert is expected to be back on the start line if his recovery progresses smoothly.
Van Aert’s absence from Mol is disappointing for fans who were eager to see one of the sport’s brightest talents compete. However, with the cyclo-cross season in full swing, it’s clear that van Aert’s health is the priority. His focus on recovery means that Loenhout is likely to be his next big test, and if all goes according to plan, the Belgian will be back to show his strength in front of his supporters.
