Wout Van Aert returned to training on Wednesday with a 50km ride titled "Still alive" after being off the bike for two days the day before.

The Jumbo Visma team told Het Laatste Nieuws (open in new tab) that Van Aert had not been feeling well in recent days and had temporarily suspended preparations for the spring classics.

After losing a sprint win to rival Mathieu van der Pol in the World Cyclocross Championships the previous weekend, Van Aert arrived at the high altitude camp on Friday to join his teammates training at Mount Teide.

Van Aert entered the World Championships with a better record against the Dutchman this season (6-4) and more wins (9-6), but was unable to win his fourth Rainbow Band.

On Saturday, Van Aert rode 30 km on rollers and 50 km to the volcano.

According to Van Art's Strava profile, Sunday's ride was much longer, 130 km, which he completed after a 5.7 km ride in the morning.

He will stay at a high altitude camp in Tenerife for two more weeks to recover his fitness before making his road debut in three Italian races, starting with Strade Bianche on March 4.

Van der Pol will also start his season on the white roads of Tuscany, facing off again in Tirreno-Adriatico on March 6-12 and Milan-San Remo on March 18.

Both have won the Strade Bianche, Van Art in 2020 and Van der Poel the following year.