Van Aert Faces crossroads as Cyclo-Cross Season Heats Up
Wout van Aert is navigating a challenging start to the cyclo-cross season, currently without a victory and facing a critical decision point regarding his participation in the upcoming UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships. Recent races have presented contrasting conditions, moast recently a fast criterium-style course with lap times just over five minutes – a stark difference from the muddy terrain he’s accustomed to.
Van Aert admitted pre-race he wasn’t expecting the dry conditions. “From the previous editions, I never thought that I woudl come here without any mud,” he stated. He even suggested he preferred the more demanding, muddy courses of past seasons, noting the current track “contains too few natural obstacles.”
The van der poel Factor & Current Form
The absence of reigning world champion Mathieu van der poel from his last two races has opened the door for other contenders, but Van Aert acknowledges winning remains a significant hurdle. “Winning is always hard,” he explained. “If Mathieu doesn’t participate, the chance is greater for others to win, but beating the rest is also arduous.”
He’s looking to find his form in the coming weeks, specifically targeting the races at Loenhout (December 29th), Mol (January 2nd), and Zonhoven (January 4th) as opportunities to build momentum. Van Aert hopes to be sharper at Loenhout than in his most recent outing.
World Championship Dilemma
The question of whether Van aert will extend his season to compete at the World Championships in Hulst on February 1st remains open.Belgian national coach Angelo De Clercq is actively hoping he will.
De Clercq is tentatively including Van Aert in his pre-selection. “Now when I make my pre-selection, I fill in his name in pencil,” he told Sporza. He believes a final decision will be made around the Belgian national championships on January 11th.
Several factors could influence Van Aert’s decision:
* Recent Results: Consecutive defeats are weighing on his confidence.
* Weather Conditions: Continued cold and freezing ground in the Netherlands could lead him to stick to his original, shorter schedule.
* Head-to-head Battles: Positive performances against Van der Poel in the upcoming races could reignite his motivation.
The Importance of Van Aert’s Leadership
De Clercq emphasizes Van Aert’s importance extends beyond his athletic prowess. He’s a leader and role model for younger riders.
“Not only is Wout important to us in terms of sport,but he is also a leader,” De Clercq stated. “All the youngsters look up to him and it’s very important to have him with us to such a championship.”
The coach believes a confidence boost from challenging Van der Poel could be pivotal. “Maybe there will come a time when Van Aert gets a confidence boost by going along with Van der Poel for a long time in Loenhout or Zonhoven. That may wholly change that feeling for him.”
Ultimately, Van Aert’s decision will hinge on his form, confidence, and the prevailing conditions. For now, the cyclo-cross world waits to see if the three-time world champion will answer the call to represent Belgium on the world stage.
Key Takeaways for You:
* Van Aert is currently without a win this cyclo-cross season.
* His participation in the World Championships is uncertain.
* Head-to-head races with Van der Poel are crucial for his confidence.
* His leadership role within the Belgian team is highly valued.
