Van Aert plunges into the cyclo-cross season with an unconventional approach: "A far more progressive strategy"

Wout van Aert is the first of "The Big Three" to dive into the cyclo-cross season. The Jumbo-Visma superstar will do so on Saturday afternoon in the Exact Cross of Essen. There, he enters the race as the big top favorite to win. Ahead of the race in the Belgian Province of Antwerp, Van Aert shared his insights with the cycling media and IDLProCycling.com couldn't miss out on this event.

"This is a program that we have thought out together, so it's a great plan. We have made good decisions, and it's also difficult: in winter we want him to race every cross-country race, and in summer they want to see him in every race, but that's not possible. You have to make choices. The preparation is going well and it will be a bit of an adjustment, but we thought the same thing two years ago as well and then he won in Boom by a two-minute difference", Jumbo-Visma coach Jan Boven told IDLProCycling.com a few weeks ago. And so Van Aert arrived on Saturday morning in harsh weather conditions in Essen, exactly two days before the Jumbo-Visma road team heads to a training camp in Spain.

"I'm going to be a lot better during the Christmas period than in Essen", says Van Aert

"The goal of the upcoming training camp is of course to make big leaps forward", Van Aert shared with IDLProCycling.com. "This winter my strategy is really much more progressive. Previously, my focus was primarily on getting ready for that very first cyclo-cross race, followed by a rigorous cyclo-cross season before shifting gears to road racing. But now, my goal is to gradually increase my training intensity throughout winter, with an eye on the road racing season. So, naturally, I expect to be in much better shape around Christmas than I am now," he said, managing expectations for the Essen race, which isn't too far from his hometown of Herentals.

"He's said himself that he's not quite as fit as last year, largely because his training hasn't been as focused on cyclo-cross. It makes sense, given that he's aiming to hit his peak later in the season, particularly during spring. In my opinion, the first cross of the year is always a tough one for everyone. Yet, who knows? Wout might end up riding even faster than he did last year," reflected Daan Soete, Van Aert's training partner, earlier this week. Van Aert also admitted that he hasn't really undergone the specific cyclo-cross training this time. "My preparation has been less intense than usual, so I'm bracing for a greater challenge. But then, the struggle is part of the appeal in cyclo-cross. It's essentially about battling yourself for an hour."

Out of sight, but not out of mind?

During his cyclo-cross training sessions, Van Aert could clearly tell that his performance level was different from last year. When asked how he noticed, he explained, "Your steering is off, making you slower in turns and it's harder to regain speed. This issue repeats in each corner, creating a snowball effect of problems. We deliberately delayed getting back into the field, so it was even more of a letdown to see these issues." Despite this, the 29-year-old from Herentals, Belgium remains the favorite to win in Essen. He doesn't feel overly pressured or nervous. "I'm not really stressed, though there's always a bit of excitement. Every race is a test against yourself, no matter its size. You're always left wondering if your preparations have paid off."

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Van Aert admits that this winter, cyclo-cross is more a means than an end for him, although completely skipping the cyclo-cross season is certainly not an option or something he desires. "Physically, cyclo-cross remains a very good training. It's about suffering, enduring pain and fighting against it. Moreover, you develop various skills. If I had nothing lined up for three winter months, it would be mentally difficult for me. Now, I always have something to look forward to: something to work towards or to be excited about. It keeps me sharp. It's also nice to meet all the fans again. The Christmas period in cyclo-cross is really something special. I enjoy that."

The crux of the matter: cyclo-cross is fun and there's less pressure on results. "It's actually new for me that losing is okay. Of course, I don't have to do anything!", he brings up his well-known saying with a chuckle. "On the road, the pressure is much higher. Wherever I start, a lot is expected of me. If I don't win a single cyclo-cross race now, it's not a big deal. If I've just made progress, that in itself is fine."

Van Aert suspects that Van der Poel has an incredibly high baseline level

The Flemish all-rounder is setting his sights on enhancing his already impressive list of victories with a major triumph this spring. This goal has led him to deprioritize cyclo-cross. "There's a noticeable sense of disappointment among fans about me not competing in the World Championships. I too am a bit disappointed, but my focus is on excelling in the spring classics. Sticking to a winter program could serve as solid preparation for these classics. Mathieu and I proved that last year. Aiming for a peak at the World Championship in February is a whole different ballgame. The mental demands are significant. It involves constant interaction and hectic days. By April last year, I felt somewhat worn out, even though the season wasn't even halfway through."

Regarding his lifelong arch-rival, who will make his first cyclo-cross appearance on December 22 in Mol, Van Aert has high expectations. "Mathieu stopped the road season earlier and thus started training sooner. He's had a larger training block by the time he enters the cyclo-cross season. That's probably one of the reasons he's including the World Championships. I think his baseline level is incredibly high."

Photos: Van Aert makes cyclo-cross comeback in Essen and speaks to the cycling press