Wout van Aert wrapped up his first cyclo-cross race of the 2024/2025 winter season in fourth place, despite a dramatic crash on the final lap that cost him a podium finish. The Belgian rider, representing Visma | Lease a Bike, was involved in a collision with a fan just as he was fighting for a top spot. The race, held at Azencross in Loenhout, was won by his long-time rival, Mathieu van der Poel. Despite the setback, Van Aert remained optimistic, calling the day “great” despite narrowly missing out on second or third.
A Relaxed Approach to a Challenging Return
Van Aert approached the race with a laid-back attitude, choosing not to set any specific goals. Instead, he focused on the experience of racing again. “I can’t be dissatisfied. I have nothing to prove, and I’m just looking forward to competing again and challenging myself,” he said before the race. He acknowledged feeling a bit nervous ahead of his first race of the season, explaining that it’s natural to feel some anxiety after a long break from competition. “There is also a technical aspect to cyclo-cross. I haven’t raced at that speed for a long time, so that gives some stress,” he admitted.
Full-Speed Start and Struggles in the Middle
Van Aert wasted no time diving into the action. He entered the race with determination, aiming to break away early. However, he struggled to find his rhythm at first, saying, “It starts badly here.” Yet, in a twist of fortune, an opening appeared on the left side of the field, allowing him to surge ahead unexpectedly. “I had a good feeling, which was satisfying,” he reflected on the early laps.
However, as the race progressed, Van Aert found himself unable to keep pace with van der Poel, who accelerated sharply. “When Mathieu accelerated, I noticed that, technically, I could not follow,” Van Aert explained. Despite his best efforts to rejoin the leaders, the gap widened. Thankfully, his teammate Thibau Nys was able to support him, and together, they managed to close the distance to the front pack.
The Crash: A Bitter Setback
With the podium in sight, Van Aert’s hopes were dashed in the final lap due to an unfortunate crash. While navigating a corner, he collided with a fan who was hanging too far over the course. “It certainly wasn’t Thibau’s fault. He made a nice maneuver to get to the front. I was outside the corner, and there was a fan completely over the course. Unfortunately, I collided with him,” Van Aert explained.
The crash cost him valuable seconds, and he ultimately finished in fourth place. Despite the disappointment, he remained positive. “Too bad because I could have been competing for second or third place. But oh well, I’m satisfied with how it went,” he said, reflecting on a successful return to racing.
A Strong Start to the Season
Although Van Aert missed out on the podium, his performance in Loenhout showed that he’s ready to compete at a high level this season. His resilience in the face of challenges and his upbeat attitude suggest that he will be a strong contender throughout the 2024/2025 cyclo-cross campaign.
