Following the release of Wout van Aert’s winter cyclocross programme, Visma–Lease a Bike performance chief Mathieu Heijboer explained that the rider’s ‘cross season is mainly about enjoyment, with all racing aimed at helping him prepare for his top priority in early 2026, the spring Classics.
On Monday, the team confirmed Van Aert will contest eight cyclocross events across December and January, including five head-to-heads with long-time rival Mathieu van der Poel. It’s another intentionally limited ‘cross schedule, designed with a bigger ambition in mind.
“The main athletic target is April that’s obvious. The aim of this cyclocross block is mostly to have fun and give something back to the fans. It remains one of Wout’s biggest passions,” Heijboer told WielerFlits. He added that Van Aert enters this winter in far better condition than in 2024, when he resumed training late after his Vuelta a España crash.
“He started from a stronger base this time. His level is higher, so he’s improving with every session. He’s in a much better place than a year ago. Hopefully that turns into a more explosive Wout in the spring but that’s still some way off.”
Last spring, Van Aert was unable to overcome Van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar, who claimed the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix titles. Heijboer said the team is hopeful they can lift him beyond the fourth-place finishes he managed in both races.
“Mathieu and Tadej are exceptional riders who can win anywhere. But we still see a lot of potential for Wout to return to his very best,” he continued. “That wasn’t possible two years ago after the crash, or last year after such a difficult season. Is it easy? No. But we absolutely believe in it.”
Heijboer added that Van Aert should be further along than last winter, and ideally ready to challenge Van der Poel. Still, strong winter form doesn’t necessarily guarantee a successful spring and the opposite can also be true.
Van Aert’s cyclocross season is set to peak with a bid for his sixth Belgian national title in mid-January, which will also be his final race of the winter. The programme is being built around the team’s road training camps, including one scheduled the day after Nationals. For now, a start at the CX World Championships in early February “isn’t part of our plans,” Heijboer said.
“The key is that his main targets lie in the spring. With that in mind, we want to prioritise his road preparation. If later on he feels great, is recovering well, and remains ahead of schedule, then a Worlds appearance could become possible but only if it doesn’t disrupt his training.”
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