Van Aert considers cyclo-cross event

Wout Van Aert, a 31-year-old Belgian cyclist from the team Visma | Lease a Bike, is thinking about joining the World Cyclo-cross Championships in Ostend, Belgium, on January 31. His winter training plan is still being worked out, but the championships are one of the events he might aim for.

Training progress is uncertain

Van Aert said he had only started training again a week ago and wants to better understand his current physical condition. He mentioned needing three weeks to assess his fitness and decide how much training he needs before he can compete effectively.

Team training camp ahead

Van Aert will stay in Belgium until his team's training camp in Spain, which is set to begin on December 8. This period will likely help him prepare for the upcoming season and any events he might participate in.

Home crowd advantage desired

He expressed interest in taking advantage of the support from the local audience in Ostend. He previously competed in a World Championship there in 2021, but that event took place without spectators. This time, he hopes to race in front of a large crowd.

Balancing road and cyclo-cross seasons

Van Aert also emphasized the need to find the right balance between his cyclo-cross ambitions and his road racing season, where he has significant goals. He wants to ensure he can perform well in both disciplines.