Siena, Italy – Wout van Aert is set to make his long-awaited return to Strade Bianche this Saturday, marking his first major spring classics appearance in five years. However, the Belgian star arrives in Tuscany with a degree of uncertainty surrounding his form following a challenging off-season hampered by an ankle injury and illness. Despite the lingering questions, Van Aert appears motivated to compete, even playfully calling out a fan for sporting rival apparel during a pre-race reconnaissance ride.
The 2026 edition of Strade Bianche holds particular significance as Van Aert aims to gauge his condition after a disrupted preparation. He recently completed his season opener at Le Samyn, but acknowledges he faces more unknowns than he’d prefer heading into the demanding Italian race. “It was nice to open my season at Le Samyn, but I’m starting with more question marks than I had hoped,” Van Aert stated on the Visma-Lease a Bike team website.
The race course itself has undergone changes in recent years, becoming increasingly challenging for riders traditionally strong in the punchy classics. Mathieu van der Poel, a dominant force in the spring classics, has opted to skip Strade Bianche, citing the altered course profile as a key factor. His team manager, Christoph Roodhooft, explained to Nieuwsblad that the race is now “way over the limit” for riders like Van der Poel, suggesting the increased climbing demands favor a different type of athlete. This shift in the race’s character has prompted debate about whether it still suits Van Aert’s skillset, traditionally geared towards a blend of power and technical prowess.
Adding a touch of levity to his preparations, Van Aert encountered a fan, José Maria Lopez, during a training ride on the sterrati – the iconic gravel sectors of the race. Lopez attempted to show Van Aert a video from the previous year’s edition of Paris-Roubaix, where he had been positioned near the Belgian rider. The encounter took a playful turn when Van Aert noticed Lopez was wearing a jersey from Alpecin-Deceuninck, the team of his rival, Mathieu van der Poel. “That’s a small difference, eh?” Van Aert quipped, before jokingly suggesting, “I think if you changed shirts, you’d immediately go faster.” The exchange, captured on video, highlights the friendly rivalry between the two cycling stars and Van Aert’s good spirits despite the uncertainties surrounding his form.
Van Aert’s track record at Strade Bianche speaks to his adaptability and strength in the challenging one-day race. In four previous appearances, he has consistently finished in the top ten, achieving a podium finish three times and securing a victory once. This impressive record demonstrates his ability to handle the demanding terrain and unpredictable conditions that define the race. However, this year’s race presents a different challenge, with a tougher finale introduced in 2024 that appears to favor climbers.
The changes to the course, specifically the addition of more challenging climbs, have altered the dynamics of Strade Bianche. Previously, the decisive sectors were positioned further from the finish line, allowing a wider range of riders to contend for the win. Now, the more difficult climbs are located closer to the finish, giving climbers a significant advantage. This shift has led some, including Van der Poel, to question whether the race still suits riders who excel on the flatter, more technical sections.
Despite the altered course and his recent health setbacks, Van Aert remains optimistic. “I am in any case enormously motivated to show myself,” he said. Visma-Lease a Bike will field a strong team alongside Van Aert, aiming for a top result in the race. The team’s strategy will likely focus on positioning Van Aert well for the crucial climbs and utilizing his strength and tactical acumen to navigate the challenging terrain.
The 2026 Strade Bianche promises to be a compelling contest, with Tadej Pogačar also expected to be a strong contender. The race will test the limits of the riders, demanding not only physical strength but also tactical awareness and resilience. For Van Aert, it represents a crucial opportunity to assess his form and build momentum for the upcoming spring classics campaign.
Following Strade Bianche, Van Aert is scheduled to compete in Tirreno-Adriatico, a week-long stage race that will serve as further preparation for Milan-San Remo and the cobbled classics. The team will carefully monitor his condition throughout these races, adjusting his program as needed to ensure he reaches peak form for the most important events of the season.
The start of Strade Bianche is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 10:50 AM Central European Time (CET), which is 3:50 AM EST. Fans can follow live coverage of the race on various sports networks and streaming platforms. The race is expected to finish around 4:30 PM CET (10:30 AM EST).
What remains to be seen is whether Van Aert can overcome the challenges posed by the altered course and his recent health issues to contend for the win. His past performances suggest he is capable of adapting to different race scenarios, but the competition will be fierce. The outcome of Strade Bianche will undoubtedly provide valuable insights into Van Aert’s form and his prospects for the rest of the spring classics season.
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