Wout van Aert, still recovering from his big crash at the Vuelta a España, became the first Visma Lease-a-Bike rider to enjoy cycling outdoors.

The Belgian rider crashed hard on the descent in northern Spain during stage 16 of the Vuelta on September 3. He suffered a serious knee injury and immediately left the race.

Despite a difficult early season in 2024 that included a crash in the classics, Van Aert took three wins in the Vuelta, led the race for two days, and took pole position in both the mountains and the points standings. This crash changed everything.

The injuries were so severe that Van Aert could no longer walk, let alone ride a bike, and he would not be able to participate in any road races in 2024, including the world championships.

Van Aert is now recovering well, and on Friday, about a month after the crash, he posted his first short ride since the accident on Strava with the expressive headline “Woo-hoo.”

Van Aert's one-hour ride in Belgium was only 32.6 kilometers, with an elevation gain of 49 meters. However, it was a milestone in his comeback after a difficult accident, his second major fall in 2024.

After falling in Spain and being hospitalized for several days, Van Aert required further hospital treatment in Belgium, initially unable to move his knee at all.

But on September 25, as subsequently posted on Strava, the 30-year-old managed to walk 2.74 km with his partner Sarah de Bie. In the meantime, Van Aert signed a lifetime professional contract with his current team, Visma-Leasa a Bike, although such a deal is said to be unprecedented in professional cycling

It has not yet been decided when he will compete again, but Van Aert has already spent this winter cyclocross and has indicated that he hopes to return to road racing next season.