Belgians speculate on Van Aert: from "You can't just get rid of that" to "He's going to be able to compete for the win"

"Wout is doing well, I still hear him regularly," former team coach Sven Vanthourenhout told Het Nieuwsblad. "He's been training properly for a while now but is seriously behind. If you can't do anything at that level, being a top athlete for five to six weeks... that has a serious impact on your body. You can't just eliminate that in a couple of weeks."

According to current cyclo-cross national coach Angelo De Clercq, Van Aert is on track. "In three months, he has already made serious progress. He remains a top rider, and I am convinced he will be able to compete for the victory," he told Het Nieuwsblad with ambition. Van Aert himself tempered expectations at the announcement Friday.

Van Aert has consciously decided not to focus on the cyclo-cross championships. He will skip the Belgian championship on January 12 and the world championship on February 2 because he does not want to take risks ahead of the road season, where his focus lies. As De Clercq confirms, "The cyclo-cross races he competes in will be purely in function of his road season. He does it out of love for the sport."

Van Aert's cyclo-cross program is the shortest in his career. The three-time world champion chooses just six races, much less than the 40 he once competed in at his most successful moment. The plan is clear: without the strain of a long winter, Van Aert wants to peak at the crucial moments of the road season.

According to cyclo-cross analyst Paul Herygers, this program is a smart choice for Van Aert. "This is something we should be happy with. This is a beautiful program. These six cyclo-cross races are a relief for many people. Wout could have chosen half the number of races, you know," he told Sporza.

Herygers believes Van Aert has an ideal plan with races that suit him. Of course, Wout will not be in top shape at the start, but that's perfectly okay with him. Loenhout can turn out to his advantage, and he will also be comfortable in a tough race like Gullegem. Wout also taught everyone a lesson in Dendermonde. In Benidorm, he is always relaxed and motivated at the start. His last race in Maasmechelen also suits him. So they are all Van Aert cyclo-cross races. There is not one race in the cyclo-cross where he has no business being there or where he won't have fun.

With the upcoming road season in mind, where the real goals lie, Van Aert will start his cyclo-cross races with some caution and modest ambitions, but Herygers predicts: "At some point, he will choose a few races where he will go all the way. I'm especially looking forward to Dendermonde."