Setback for Wout van Aert: illness disrupts preparation ahead of first cyclocross clash with Van der Poel

Fans had to wait a long time for the announcement: when would Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert finally start their cyclocross season this winter? The Belgian answered earlier this month, allowing supporters - after weeks of rest and rebuilding - to look forward to the Antwerp World Cup. But Van Aert’s preparation is proving anything but smooth.

On 2 December, Visma | Lease a Bike and Van Aert revealed the Belgian’s cyclocross schedule. He will race a total of eight cross events, with his return planned for 20 December. Antwerp will immediately bring the first duel of the season between Van Aert and Van der Poel. The Dutchman will already line up next weekend in Namur, potentially giving him a slight head start.

Yet that head start may end up larger than expected. While Van der Poel has enjoyed an almost ideal training block (aside from one near-crash), Van Aert’s road has been bumpier. This Saturday he logged an indoor session on Rouvy. And it wasn't a long endurance ride, but a 40-minute effort over 24 kilometres.

But that disadvantage may well become bigger than hoped. Whereas Van der Poel has had a fairly ideal training period so far (other than a near-fall), things are running a little more smoothly for Van Aert. This Saturday he worked out an indoor workout on online platform Rouvy, and that wasn't a long endurance workout, but a 40-minute effort over 24 kilometers.

The reason has now become clear: Van Aert has been ill. “First pedalstrokes in a few days,” the Belgian wrote alongside his Strava activity. He added a thermometer emoji, making it clear he had not felt well in recent days. With two weeks to go before his return, the Belgian faces a significant setback.

Whether this will impact his race calendar remains unknown. After his planned comeback in Antwerp, Van Aert is scheduled to race again just two days later in Hofstade, followed by Heusden-Zolder on 23 December. Further entries include Dendermonde (28 December), Loenhout (29 December), Mol (2 January), Zonhoven (4 January) and the Belgian Championships in Beringen (11 January). Notably: no World Championships, or so it seems.