Van Aert Recovery on Track: Cyclo-Cross Star Eyes February Training Camp After Successful Surgery
A hopeful prognosis surrounds cycling star wout van Aert following successful surgery to repair a fractured ankle, with the possibility of joining his Visma-Lease A Bike teammates at a training camp in February and a potential season debut in March. The Belgian rider’s cyclo-cross season ended abruptly last Friday after a crash during the Exact Cross, resulting in the fracture.
Van Aert underwent surgery on Saturday, and initial reports indicate a positive outcome, particularly regarding the integrity of his ankle tendons. According to reports from Het Laatste Nieuws, the tendons remained unscathed during the procedure. This is a crucial detail, as damage to the tendons would have significantly complicated and prolonged his recovery.
The nature of the injury – a bone fracture without tendon damage – is expected to facilitate a quicker return to cycling-specific training. While walking and running will be uncomfortable for the foreseeable future, the ability to sit and cycle offers a viable path toward maintaining fitness.
Most of the Visma-Lease A Bike team, excluding those currently competing at the Tour Down Under, will begin a training camp in Spain next week in readiness for the 2026 road season. Het laatste nieuws reports that Van Aert is targeting a return to training alongside his teammates, though the team itself has been cautious in confirming this timeline. “That’s still unclear and will depend on his recovery. We’re hoping for it, of course, but it’s not yet certain,” a team spokesperson stated.
Van Aert’s planned road season schedule was slated for release next week, but the injury may necessitate a postponement. However,a team training camp on Mount Teide in February remains a key target.
A rumored season debut is set for March 7 at Strade Bianche, a race Van Aert previously won in 2020. This would be followed by a full spring Classics campaign, including participation in Tirreno-Adriatico (March 9-15). Later in the spring, Van Aert is expected to focus on the prestigious one-day races, the Tour of Flanders (April 5) and Paris-Roubaix (april 12). His participation in the Ardennes Classics remains uncertain at this time.
Looking ahead, Van Aert is currently scheduled to compete in both the Tour de France and, according to Het Laatste Nieuws, the Vuelta a España later in the year.
While the exact timeline for Van Aert’s return to racing remains fluid, the latest updates suggest his spring campaign is still achievable, offering a beacon of optimism for fans of the Belgian cycling star.
Why did this happen? Wout van Aert fractured his ankle in a crash during the Exact Cross cyclo-cross race last Friday.
who is involved? The key individuals are Wout van Aert, his team Visma-Lease A Bike, and medical personnel involved in his surgery and recovery.
What is the current situation? Van Aert underwent successful surgery to repair the fracture, with no tendon damage. He is targeting a return to training with his team in February and a potential race debut at Strade Bianche in March.
How did it end (so far)? The incident ended Van Aert’s cyclo-cross season. While his road season schedule is uncertain, the surgery was successful, and he is beginning the recovery process with a hopeful outlook for a spring campaign.
