Wout van Aert in action at the recent Azencross Wout van Aert has made a surprise and last-minute decision to race next Sunday’s Cyclocross World Championship in Liévin, in northern France, and so a battle with eternal rival Mathieu van der Poel is suddenly back on.
Belgian national coach Angelo De Clercq had only named eight of his nine riders for the elite men’s race. Now Van Aert has been confirmed as the final rider in the team after a late change of mind.
"We’re thrilled to announce that Wout van Aert will compete in the cyclo-cross World Championships this Sunday!" Van Aert’s Visma-Lease a Bike team announced on Sunday.
"Motivated by his passion for the sport, Wout expressed his strong desire to be on the start line. After careful discussions, we fully support his decision and can’t wait to watch him give it his all at the worlds."
Van Aert had always ruled out riding the Cyclocross World Championship and had done just four cyclocross races this winter as he prioritised his recovery from the knee injury he suffered at the Vuelta a España for his 2025 Classics campaign.
He briefly went shoulder to shoulder with Van der Poel during Saturday’s Maasmechelen World Cup race and the two will now clash again in France.
Van der Poel missed some cyclocross races after fracturing a rib during the holidays but is the logical favourite to win a record-equalling seventh world title. Van Aert will change for his fourth title, hoping the form he has rebuilt […]
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