Wout van Aert's cyclocross return taking shape, but World Championships remain uncertain

Angelo De Clercq says Wout van Aert will need to race “four, at least” World Cups this winter if he wants a good grid position at the cyclocross Worlds in Ostend. The Belgian national coach told HLN that Van Aert’s participation at the Worlds is not yet decided.

The World Championships run from 29 to 31 January, with the elite men’s race on the Sunday. Van Aert, 32, has confirmed he will race cyclocross this winter, but his management are still finalising his programme with race organisers.

His short 2025–26 winter, which ended when he fractured his ankle in Mol, has left him 62nd in the UCI cyclocross ranking.

“The wildcard he needs to be selected isn’t a problem in itself. A good starting position is, preferably on the first two rows. He’ll have to earn that through the top 16 of the World Cup,” De Clercq told HLN.

Van Aert missed the top 16 by three points before Liévin in 2025, and finished second to Mathieu van der Poel after starting further back. De Clercq called it “a really sour one”.

The opening World Cups in Ostrava and Tábor at the end of November come too early for him. Visma-Lease a Bike’s training camp in Spain, which starts on 8 December, then rules him out of Glasgow on 13 December.

That leaves the festive period, starting with Antwerp and Koksijde on 19–20 December. Gavere, Namur, Besançon and Zonhoven follow in quick succession.

“The ‘problem’ can already be solved there. And if not, there’s still Benidorm and the Hamme-Hoogerheide double weekend later on,” he said.

De Clercq said Van Aert wants to race the Worlds at home, but will only commit once he knows he is in good enough form.

“Wout absolutely wants to be there in front of his home crowd, but he’s waiting to see how his form holds up in the busy festive period, and whether he can go to Ostend with a genuine ambition to win the world title. That’s understandable,” he said.

Van Aert won three straight world titles between 2016 and 2018, and no Belgian has won the elite men’s race since. Thibau Nys and Emiel Verstrynge are also expected to be in the Belgian team, and De Clercq said Gianni Vermeersch and Tim Merlier have both shown “real interest” in riding.

He said a selection with that many road names is a possibility.

“Of course, everyone will have to earn their ticket. But I certainly don’t think it’s impossible,” he said.