Wout van Aert’s Cyclo-Cross Comeback: A Promising Return in Loenhout
Wout van Aert, the Belgian star of Visma | Lease a Bike, made his much-anticipated return to cyclo-cross at the Azencross in Loenhout on December 27, 2024. Though he finished fourth in the race, his performance was secondary to the significance of his comeback. After a challenging year, including a knee injury during the Vuelta a España in September, Van Aert’s reappearance in Loenhout marked a positive step forward. The small village of Loenhout, with just 4,000 residents, was buzzing with over 15,000 spectators, drawn in by both the holiday season and Van Aert’s return.
The race held special significance for Van Aert, who had won his first elite race in Loenhout a decade ago, edging out rival Mathieu van der Poel. This time, however, it was Van der Poel who claimed the win, securing his fourth victory of the season. Despite this, Van Aert’s return to action was met with enthusiasm, as he had been absent from competitive cyclo-cross for months.
Before the race, Van Aert admitted to feeling nervous, something he attributed to returning after a long break. “I’m nervous, but that’s always the case when you race again after a long time,” he said. His nerves weren’t about performance but the challenges of racing at the high speeds of cyclo-cross after such a long absence. “I haven’t raced at that speed for a long time. That gives some added stress,” he explained.
Van Aert’s return to the sport this winter has been carefully planned. He intentionally limited his cyclo-cross races, choosing only those that align with his recovery and long-term goals. After missing a race in Mol due to a stomach flu, Van Aert decided to reduce his program further. “I didn’t want to ride too many races so I could still train properly,” he explained, emphasizing that recovery was his priority. As a result, he won’t compete in the Belgian or World Championships this year, despite having a strong affinity for the Heusden-Zolder course.
One of the key aspects of Van Aert’s return was his recovery from the knee injury sustained in the Vuelta. While he feels little discomfort now, he admitted that regaining his full strength has been a gradual process. “It took a lot of work,” he shared. Although his recovery is still ongoing, Van Aert remains optimistic about his future, stating, “I’m hungry again for the season to come.”
Despite not achieving his usual dominance in Loenhout, Van Aert remained satisfied with his performance. “It was a great day,” he said. He will now take a short break before resuming his cyclo-cross campaign, with races in Gullegem, Benidorm, and Maasmechelen ahead. Van Aert’s careful approach to his recovery and race schedule suggests that his best is yet to come.
