Wout van Aert will start the cyclocross season on 23 December. This is according to the race calendar published by his Dutch team Visma | Lease a Bike on Friday. One day before Christmas Eve, the Belgian superstar will start at the Zilvermeercross in Mol (Belgium). He himself is tempering expectations. "That will be the first goal I will work towards, but I will certainly not reach my highest level there." The reason for this statement is the Crash at the Vuelta a Espana and the knee injury he sustained, which is still affecting him. Four days later, the 30-year-old will continue at the Azencross in Loenhout (Belgium). It will also be the last cyclocross race for him in 2024.
Wout van Aert plans four cyclocross races in January 2025
Four more starts are planned for January. It starts on 4 January in Gullegem (Belgium), one day later he is expected to compete in the World Cup race in Dendermonde. This will be followed by a break from racing, which van Aert intends to use for a training camp with the team before the World Cup starts in Benidorm (19 January/Spain) and Maasmechelen (Belgium/25 January) are planned for the all-rounder. "After this training camp, Benidorm and Maasmechelen are two great races on the programme where I expect to be in better shape," says van Aert on the Visma | Lease a Bike homepage.
Wout van Aert's cyclocross racing calendar at a glance
- 23.12.2024, Zilvermeercross, Mol (Belgium)
- 27.12.2024, Azencross, Loenhout (Belgium)
- 04/01/2025 Gullegem (Belgium)
- 05.01.2025, Dendermonde (World Cup/Belgium)
- 19.01.2025, Benidorm (World Cup/Spain)
- 25.01.2025, Maasmechelen (World Cup/Belgium)
Van Aert once again emphasised how much cyclocross racing is close to his heart: "Cyclocross is and remains my first love, which is why I love returning to this sport every winter." However, his fans will probably miss him at the Cyclocross World Championships (31.01.-02.02. in Lievin, France), as this is not on his programme.
It is also not yet known if and when van Aert will meet Mathieu van der Poel this cyclocross season. The Dutchman has not yet published his cyclocross racing calendar.
