Wout van Aert (Jumbo Visma) has confirmed he will not return to Dublin for the UCI Cyclocross World Cup race on Sunday week. The Belgian, who was the star of the show - and the men's race winner - last year has released details of his 2023-24 cyclocross season today.
As feared, he is set for a very short winter season, which will not start until the second weekend in December; too late for Irish fans. It means Van Aert, and world champion Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), will not be on the start line in Dublin.
Van Aert's decision not to come to Dublin had been mooted last week when the Belgian media reported the first details of his planned cyclocross season. And now the rider and his Jumbo Visma team have today confirmed his plans.
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His shortened season will be comprised of the following races, which include six clashes with Van der Poel:
- December 9, Exact Cross Essen
- December 22, Exact Cross Mol
- December 23, UCI World Cup Antwerp
- December 26, UCI World Cup Gavere
- December 27, Superprestige Heusden-Zolder
- December 30, UCI World Cup Hulst
- January 1, X2O Trofee Baal-GP Sven Nys
- January 4, X2O Trofee Koksijde
Van Aert may also ride the World Cup races in Zonhoven and Benidorm on January 7th and 21st, though his participation is not yet confirmed.
"It's a conscious decision to do a shorter programme", said 29-year-old van Aert. "Last year, I found it mentally difficult to focus on the cyclocross season and then move on to the spring. I didn't want to leave anything to chance with the spring classics. That is why, with a heavy heart, I am riding a more limited programme.
"It will definitely be difficult to reach a high level. I have a few races to get in shape, and then it will stop already. I hope to prove myself during these races. For the first time, it will be different from what I am used to, but with a higher goal in mind."
