Will Wout Van Aert Race the Cyclo-Cross Worlds? Key Decision before Belgian Nationals

Wout van Aert will decide on possible participation in the Cyclo-cross World Championships in Hulst ahead of the Belgian Cyclo-cross Championships. That is what his coach Mathieu Heijboer told Het Laatste Nieuws. In principle, the World Championship is not on Van Aert’s calendar, but the door is still slightly ajar.

"“We will decide that in two weeks,” said Heijboer. "Or at least in the days leading up to the Belgian Championships. [...] We will make our choice based on how he feels on the bike, and whether he is motivated. Maybe by then his focus will already be on the spring classics. I understand that it is unclear for you."

Last year, Van Aert decided at the last moment to race the world championships after all. "Last year, we cornered ourselves communication-wise by saying upfront: ‘The World Championships will not happen’. Yet that World Championship was still added. This time it was different in the sense that we said the door is slightly ajar. That gap hasn’t gotten any smaller."

"We primarily decide based on the parameter that he is competitive and has the feeling there is something to gain at the World Championships," Heijboer explained.

If a medal is the highest achievable goal, he will not race the Worlds, his coach confirms. "We are working towards the Belgian Championships. The week before we also take a bit more rest so he can deliver a top performance. If we notice that he’s still progressing by then, and things are going very well, there is room to still add the Worlds. But we’ve also agreed not to jump ahead on that yet."