Wout van Aert expected to return to cyclocross next month
The rivalry of 2020 should continue off-road this winter


Wout van Aert is expected to start his cyclocross season next month, so we may see the main rivalry of 2020 continue.
Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) has had another phenomenal season on the road, winning Strade Bianche, Milan-San Remo and winning two stages of the Tour de France.
The Belgian star has now closed out his road season, but isn’t finished racing yet as he plans to head back to cyclocross for the winter.
Van Aert may start his CX season at the Urban Cross Kortrijk on November 28, although that is not yet set in stone.
Late into the season, Van Aert reignited his old rivalry with Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) in the Belgian Classics, and the battle should continue through the winter.
Van Aert’s manager Jef Van Den Bosch told Wielerflits: “Contrary to some media writing, his participation in Kortrijk is not yet final.
“But the chance is real, yes. After a few weeks of leave, the end of November will indeed be the period he is working towards to resume the competition.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Van der Poel has previously said he will start racing CX in Antwerp in December.
Both riders started their career in cyclocross and have both won World Championships in the discipline.
In recent years Van der Poel and Van Aert have switched their focus to the road and have taken the pro peloton by storm, both winning Monuments.
Their rivalry came to head at the Tour of Flanders on Sunday, as they went head-to-head in the final with the result coming down to a two-up sprint.
Van der Poel triumphed to take the biggest win of his career, in the last race on the road the pair will share.
Van Aert closed out his season with Flandes, but Van der Poel will finish his season at the Three Days of De Panne on Wednesday (October 21).
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
'I'm not even sure my coaches know my limits' - British cycling sensation Matthew Brennan wins again
Teenager claims third WorldTour victory of the season and takes leader's jersey at Tour de Romandie
-
Nothing beats the elation of cycling to the top of a climb - it's one of life's purest highs
Especially if it's a hill you're nervous about, there's nothing better than the feeling of cresting it
-
'We did a beautiful race up until 10km to go' - Visma-Lease a Bike pull defeat from the jaws of victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen
With such a difficult second place on Wednesday, could this performance affect confidence ahead of the Tour of Flanders?
-
'I never thought in a million years I would beat Wout in a sprint' - Neilson Powless shocks with improbable Dwars door Vlaanderen win
Visma-Lease a Bike put on a show of force ahead of the Tour of Flanders on Sunday but came away without the victory in Waregem
-
Mathieu van der Poel surges to E3 Saxo Classic victory after dropping Mads Pedersen on the Oude Kwaremont
Dutchman untouchable in West Flanders after distancing Pedersen and Filippo Ganna on decisive climb
-
'I’m left with ambitions I no longer get to chase' - 26-year-old pro cyclist forced to retire over heart issues
Lars van den Berg reveals "worst nightmare" with cardiologists revealing that the risks are "too great"
-
Great Britain win first ever mixed relay title at Cyclo-cross World Championships
Six-rider team led by Zoe Bäckstedt claims GB's first rainbow jersey of the year
-
'I don't want to jump too early into elite' - Zoe Bäckstedt explains decision to compete for under-23 title at Cyclo-cross World Championships
Defending champion Bäckstedt plans to remain under-23 'this year and next year'
-
Mathieu van der Poel vs Wout van Aert: Cyclo-cross World Championships form guide
Van Aert was a surprise addition to the CX Worlds lineup last weekend after he was initially not scheduled to race in Liévin
-
Changing the final Tour de France stage in Paris is an exciting prospect but I think it should be for one year only
The race's organisers were reported to be exploring the possibility of bringing the cobbled streets of Montmartre into the race’s final stage in Paris this summer