Wout van Aert, the Belgian cyclist, has faced several setbacks in early 2026, but recent news shows his recovery progressing toward a return to road racing.[1][3]
Recent Injury and Surgery
Van Aert crashed during a cyclocross race in Mol in early January 2026, suffering an ankle fracture more serious than first reported—a right lateral malleolus issue requiring surgery on January 3.[2][5] Initial hopes for a quick two-week recovery shifted to a potential three-month timeline, though his team Visma | Lease a Bike attended a training camp in Spain without confirming full training.[1]
Illness and Delayed Debut
A stomach bug sidelined him from Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on February 28, pushing his season start. He was cleared to race soon after but missed the event, with his team optimistic.[3][6]
First Races Back
Van Aert debuted at Le Samyn in early March 2026, feeling strong until a suspicious late puncture ended his chances—he called it smelling "like sabotage." He's targeting Strade Bianche next, his first in five years, as part of a Classics build-up including Milan-San Remo.[4][7][8]
In summary, after injury and illness, Van Aert is back racing with bad luck lingering, but his form hints at a strong Spring Classics campaign ahead.[3][4]
Sources
Belgian star was set to start season at Opening Weekend
www.cyclingweekly.comAccording to L’Équipe, is dealing with a more complex ankle injury than initially suggested following his crash at the Zilvermeercross in Mol, raising fresh uncertainty around the early phase of his 2026 road season. Van Aert crashed heavily during Friday’s cyclo-cross race in Mol, an incident that immediately brought his winter campaign to an end. […]
procyclinguk.comWout van Aert will return to Strade Bianche and Milan-San Remo in 2026 as he follows a more conventional build-up to the cobbled Classics. The Belgian has…
www.domestiquecycling.comVingegaard set to start 2026 season in late March at Volta a Catalunya
www.cyclingnews.comLatest news on Wout van Aert, a Belgian cyclist who made his Grand Tour debut in 2019 at the Tour de France and won the tour's points classification in 2022.
www.newsnow.co.ukBelgian rider will hope for better fortune at his next appearance, Saturday's Strade Bianche
www.cyclingnews.comWout van Aert may be forced to remain out of competition for almost three months following surgery to address what was initially described as a “small fracture” sustained during the cyclocross race in...
cyclinguptodate.comWout van Aert looked back on his first road race of 2026 with mixed feelings on Tuesday in Dour. The Visma Lease a Bike leader admitted he had doubts about his condition beforehand, but said his leg...
www.idlprocycling.comBelgian rider crashed during Exact Cross at Mol on Friday
www.cyclingweekly.comThis week, the partner of long-standing member of Team Visma Lease a Bike Robert Gesink has passed away. Wout van Aert and the whole team had heard the news before it became public, and raced in the...
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