Wout van Aert will return to the cyclo-cross circuit this winter, confirming his racing plans following an off-season that included a training restart on the virtual platform Rouvy and a family holiday in California and Ibiza. Wielernieuws reported that the Visma | Lease a Bike rider has not yet finalized where or when he will start his first race of the winter campaign.
Training Restart After a Successful Road Season and Rest Period
Van Aert concluded his road campaign weeks ago at the UCI Road World Championships in Canada, which marked the end of a busy year featuring a victory at Paris-Roubaix alongside stage wins and the points classification triumph at the Vuelta a España. Following that block of racing, the Belgian rider took time off for a vacation that included a road trip through the western United States and a subsequent stay in Ibiza. By Tuesday, he had resumed structured physical preparation by jumping back onto the virtual cycling platform Rouvy.
“After the World Championships, we went to California for a nice road trip with my family,” Van Aert said. “I had a nice holiday, so I am in a good mood. I am mentally fully recovered, and that is the most important thing. I did nice things and made great memories.”
Targeting a Winter Campaign With the 2027 Season in Mind
While competitor Mathieu van der Poel’s participation this winter remains unconfirmed, Van Aert stated that he will compete in several cross events over the coming months. His previous cyclo-cross winter was cut short at the start of 2026 when he broke his ankle following a crash at the Cyclo-cross Mol, an injury that preceded a separate elbow problem forcing him to miss the Tour de France.
“I am doing some cyclo-crosses, like every winter,” Van Aert said. “I am really looking forward to it, but I cannot say yet where or when I will start.”
The exact composition of his upcoming winter schedule depends on a broader evaluation of his athletic targets for the 2027 road season. Team management and his coach will sit down to map out a comprehensive schedule that accommodates his spring road objectives while leaving room for winter racing. Current indications point toward a December return to the mud, which could set up a run at the world championship title in Ostend this coming January, particularly if Van Aert’s traditional rival opts to skip the cyclo-cross calendar.
