Updated January 3, 2026 04:34PM
A heavy crash during a cyclocross race has thrown Wout van Aert’s spring Classics campaign into doubt, but a sports doctor familiar with his case suggests a return for races like the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix isn’t out of the question.
Van Aert’s Classics Dreams Hang in the Balance
The Belgian star underwent surgery Friday to stabilize a fractured ankle sustained during a cyclocross event, leaving his preparation for key road races uncertain.
- Wout van Aert fractured his ankle in a crash during the Zilvermeercross in Mol on Friday.
- He underwent a successful operation in Herentals on Saturday to stabilize the fracture.
- A medical professional suggests a return to training within weeks is possible, depending on the severity of the injury.
- Van Aert has repeatedly come close to victory in the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, finishing second in both races.
Van Aert was enjoying a strong performance at the Zilvermeercross, challenging Mathieu van der Poel, when the incident occurred, forcing his withdrawal from the race and effectively ending his cyclocross season. The operation, performed in Herentals, aimed to stabilize the fracture, but the full extent of the injury and recovery timeline remain unclear.
Despite the setback, sports doctor Tom Teulingkx, who has previously worked with Van Aert, offered a cautiously optimistic outlook. “In the most favorable scenario, Wout could be back on the bike within a few weeks, depending on the severity of the fracture,” Teulingkx said, according to Sporza.
This news will be a relief to Van Aert, who has long targeted the Tour of Flanders (second in 2020) and Paris-Roubaix (second in 2022) as major goals. Missing these races would be a significant blow to his ambitions.
Van Aert’s Visma-Lease a Bike team is currently evaluating the injury and developing a rehabilitation plan, but has not yet released a public prognosis. Teulingkx explained that ankle fractures, while uncommon in cycling, are often seen in other sports. “We usually see such fractures on a football or volleyball field, not on a bike,” he noted. “But of course, it can always happen to a cyclist. You could really see the ankle twisting. Such an ankle sprain is even one of the injuries we see most often in the sport.”
He added that a small bone detachment can often be quickly repaired with a plate or screw, potentially accelerating the healing process. However, the complexity of the ankle, with its numerous bones, makes accurate prediction difficult.
This latest injury adds to a recent string of misfortune for Van Aert. He suffered a heavy fall in Dwars door Vlaanderen in March 2024, sidelining him for two months. He recovered to achieve impressive form in the Vuelta a España, winning three stages and contending for the points classification before another crash on stage 16 hampered his progress. Despite these setbacks, he managed a stage win at the 2025 Giro d’Italia and a spirited victory on the final stage of the Tour de France, dropping Tadej Pogačar on the climb of Montmartre and winning on the Champs Élysées in Paris.
Teulingkx believes that road cycling presents a less strenuous environment for recovery than cyclocross. “You’ll be able to stabilize and treat the ankle much more easily, because it is under less strain and secured in a pedal,” he explained. “In the most favorable scenario, Wout could be back on the bike within a few weeks, depending on the severity of the fracture.”
While the road to recovery will be challenging, the possibility of seeing Van Aert compete in the Classics remains alive, offering a glimmer of hope for fans eager to witness his continued pursuit of victory.
