Anyone who was looking forward to Wout van Aert in Gavere on Friday will not see him at the start. The Belgian top rider has decided to delete a planned cross from his program, and that choice is anything but coincidental. After an intense block of matches, Van Aert looks ahead, with a view to balance, recovery and what lies ahead in the coming days.
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Satisfied, but with nuance
After his sprint duel with Tibo Del Grosso in Heusden-Zolder, Van Aert first took stock of his first series of cyclo-cross races. “My first block of competitions was a success,” he said. Antwerp proved to be particularly difficult, but after that he saw clear progress. “Hofstade was a lot better and Heusden-Zolder was also good.”
Still, a small nagging feeling remained. Winning was not yet an option, and that is never unimportant for a rider of his caliber. Nevertheless, satisfaction prevailed, especially because he feels that he is physically on the right track.
Making room for Christmas
According to Van Aert, the decision to drop Gavere fits perfectly within that evaluation. “I’ll skip Friday so that Christmas dinner will be a little more extensive,” he joked. Behind that light-hearted explanation lies a conscious choice to create space during a busy period, both physically and mentally.
It’s not about slowing down, it’s about dosing. Van Aert wants to avoid getting stuck in a succession of matches, especially with the holidays approaching. This approach suits a rider who meticulously plans out his seasons.
However, there is no question of sitting still. Van Aert is already looking ahead to his next appointment. “At the same time, I am already looking forward to my next match on Sunday in Dendermonde.” The circumstances seem to favor him. “I expect dry conditions and am curious to see what kind of race we will have.”
