Wout Van Aert nearly 'goes to heaven' in training incident with cement mixer

The Jumbo-Visma star was besieged by worried messages – including one from his wife – fearing the worst

Van Aert training
(Image credit: Dirk Waem / Belga / AFP / Getty)

Wout Van Aert described being besieged by a flurry of messages concerned for his welfare after his training buddy Jan Bakelants recounted a near-death experience the Jumbo-Visma rider had at the hands of a rogue cement mixer.

After being aggressively cut-up while out on a training ride in the Netherlands, the Belgian star had no choice but to drive the rider next to him off the road, "otherwise, he might have gone to heaven", says Bakelants.

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After cutting his teeth on local and national newspapers, James began at Cycling Weekly as a sub-editor in 2000 when the current office was literally all fields. 


Eventually becoming chief sub-editor, in 2016 he switched to the job of full-time writer, and covers news, racing and features.


A lifelong cyclist and cycling fan, James's racing days (and most of his fitness) are now behind him. But he still rides regularly, both on the road and on the gravelly stuff.