Wout van Aert (open in new tab) has confirmed that he will compete in the Azencross cyclocross race in Loenhout, Belgium, on December 27. This DVV Trofee series event will be his first race since his crash at the Tour de France (open in new tab) where he damaged his thigh and hip muscles. Van Aert will use the cyclocross race series to regain his strength and fitness for the 2020 road racing season in Jumbo-Visma. (opens in new tab)

At a press conference on Saturday morning, VanArt also revealed the special Jumbo-Visma colors that Cibel-Cebon, Caps, and Domo are supporting for his cyclocross campaign. They agreed to support Van Aert when he unilaterally broke his contract with Verandas Willems-Crelan last winter and will support Van Aert in cyclocross for the next two seasons.

"If my recovery continues to progress, I plan to make a comeback on December 27th in Lowenhout. My rehab has progressed pretty quickly over the past month and now I can train and increase my load," Van Aert confirmed.

"There is still work to be done. At the moment, I'm reacting after training. But I think it's realistic to expect him back within a month.

Van Aert crashed in the individual time trial in Pau on stage 13 of the Tour, hitting a spectator barrier and sustaining a serious thigh injury.

The 25-year-old has been riding again since September, but has taken time off from riding for gym and rehabilitation. Participating in cyclocross races had been a goal during his recovery, but VanArt had recently been cautious about returning. However, he has increased his training in recent weeks and this week rode 83 km on the cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix with several of his teammates.

"Yesterday [Friday] we rode 125 km without any major problems, but cross-country riding is more than just cycling. It demands much more from the hips, both on and off the bike. I am still working on improving that. I don't want my recovery to be a step backwards, even if I do make it back," he said, keeping his hopes for the 2020 season in check.

It would be foolish to talk about results now; I've been off the bike for three months and have come back hard on the long road. I am already happy to be able to compete in the Cross. I'm just happy to be a rider again."

"I'm already thinking about my (road racing) program. I have to be physically ready, but I was optimistic about that"

.

In the next two weeks, Van Art will head to Spain for a training camp.

Earlier this week, Van Aert terminated his contract with the Belgian national team before the 2019 season and sought €1.11 million in damages from Nick Nuyens, the manager of his former team, Verandas Vilémus Clerins, after he was granted a transfer to Jambo Visma, a labor He won the case in the Tribunal of Appeals. He finished third in the Strada Bianche and second in the E3 Binkbank Classic. Three days before his fall in the Pau time trial, he won the Belgian time trial title and sprinted to win a stage to Albi in the Tour de France.