Final build-up to Omloop? Van der Poel and Van Aert put in the work in Spain

For a while, Van Aert was still a question mark for Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. He crashed heavily in the cyclocross race in Mol and fractured his ankle. Thankfully, the Visma | Lease a Bike leader recovered quickly: not long after the crash he was back on the bike, and soon he was able to complete 160-kilometre training rides again. After those tests, the season opener was announced as his first race of the year.

Before he begins racing, the Belgian is currently in Spain. Visma | Lease a Bike have organised a training camp for riders ahead of the start of their season. Van Aert is there, alongside riders such as Timo Kielich, Bruno Armirail and Davide Piganzoli, as shown in photos on Instagram. The final preparations for Opening Weekend are underway.

Niklas Behrens was also in Spain, but he had to leave the camp early. The young German crashed and was sent home, as he shared on Instagram. The former U23 world champion does not appear to be too badly hurt: “See you soon,” he wrote.

So we know Van Aert will start Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, but Van der Poel’s “yes” is still pending. During the cyclocross winter, the Dutchman said there was a question mark over the race and that a decision would only be made in the week beforehand. So far, it has been radio silence from the rider and his team.