Wout van Aert’s cyclo-cross season has been brought to an early end after he sustained a small ankle fracture in a crash at the Zilvermeercross in Mol. According to Sporza, the Belgian will undergo surgery on Saturday, a setback that also disrupts his preparation for the upcoming road season.
The incident occurred midway through Friday’s race on the snow-covered circuit in Mol. Van Aert was still riding strongly when he slid out on a slippery corner and hit the ground heavily. He attempted to continue but was clearly hampered and soon abandoned the race.
Following his withdrawal, Van Aert travelled directly to hospital in Herentals for further examinations. Scans confirmed a minor fracture in the ankle, ruling out any continuation of his cyclo-cross campaign.
“Of course I’m very disappointed to have to end my cyclo-cross season this way,” Van Aert said in comments reported by Sporza. “I was feeling better and better, including today in Mol.”
He added that the focus now shifts away from racing: “I was really looking forward to Zonhoven and the Belgian Championships next week, but now I have to shift my focus to my recovery and then to preparing for the road season.”
The injury comes at an unfortunate moment. Van Aert had been steadily improving through the festive period and was targeting the World Cup round in Zonhoven as well as the Belgian national championships. Both objectives are now off the table.
It remains unclear how long Van Aert will be sidelined or when he will be able to resume training on the bike. What is certain is that his winter plans are over, and his early road programme will need to be reassessed as recovery takes priority.
For Wout van Aert and Team Visma | Lease a Bike, the coming weeks will be defined by rehabilitation rather than results, following another winter setback for one of cycling’s most high-profile riders.
