After Van der Poel, Van Aert also announces his calendar: A total of ten races on the agenda, six duels with eternal rival MVDP

Van Aert says he is very excited to start the cyclo-cross season. He is particularly looking forward to the atmosphere around the races. "It's nice to meet the fans and the races are always special to me." There is still doubt about the participation of Van Aert in a number of races. This is because these races will coincide with the training camp of his team Jumbo-Visma. The races in question are Zonhoven and Benidorm, where potential fatigue also plays a role.

Whether or not to participate in races by the absolute top riders in cyclo-cross causes a lot of discussion in the cyclo-cross world. Van Aert's program will add an extra dimension to this discussion. WVA explains his shortened calendar as follows: "It's a conscious decision to ride a shorter program. Last year I found it mentally difficult to really focus on the cyclo-cross season and then move on to the spring," says the Belgian of Jumbo-Visma.

It's a thorn in the side for many organizations in the cyclo-cross world: the top riders, who seem to be preoccupied with planning the road season, being selective about where they compete. Van Aert says, "I have decided for myself that I won't leave anything to chance regarding the spring classics. That's why I'm riding a shorter program, with a heavy heart." The man from Herentals understands that he's making a sensitive choice, but he refers to his higher goals, including winning the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.

The cyclo-cross races that van Aert will ride:

December 9: Essen

Dec. 22: Mol

December 23: World cup in Antwerp

December 26: World cup Gavere

December 27: Superprestige Heusden-Zolder

December 30: World cup Hulst

January 1: GP Sven Nys Baal

January 4: Duinencross Koksijde

Jan. 7: Zonhoven World Cup (subject to change)

Jan. 21: Benidorm World Cup (subject to change)

Van Aert's calendar indicates to a series of anticipated duels with his eternal rival Van der Poel, whose schedule was also recently made public. They are set to compete on the 22nd and 23rd of December in Mol and Antwerp, followed by a Boxing Day race in Gavere, the 30th of December in Hulst, the first day of the new year in Baal, and the 4th of January in Koksijde. Be sure to note these events down!