Wout van Aert recovered and ready to return to racing at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Le Samyn after ankle fracture threatened to disrupt season start

Visma-Lease a Bike announced their men’s selections for Opening Weekend, confirming that Wout van Aert will begin his 2026 season at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad this Saturday.

The Belgian superstar will not compete in the more sprinter-friendly Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne on Sunday, with the team fielding the resurgent Christophe Laporte and sprint ace Matthew Brennan.

Mathieu van der Poel was victorious in Le Samyn last year before going on to win Milan-San Remo, the E3 Saxo Classic and Paris-Roubaix.

Van Aert, who is still seeking a maiden Paris-Roubaix victory, had his cyclo-cross season cut short by a crash during a snowy Exact Cross round in Mol on January 2, which left him with a fractured ankle.

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Fortunately, the recovery from the injury went smoothly, and Van Aert is on track for his Spring Classics goals, which also include Strade Bianche and Milan-San Remo this year.

Visma-Lease a Bike for Omloop Nieuwsblad (February 28)Wout van AertChristophe LaporteAxel ZingleMatthew BrennanTimo KielichEdoardo AffiniPer Strand Hagenes Visma-Lease a Bike for Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne (March 1)Christophe LaporteAxel ZingleMatthew BrennanTimo KielichMatisse Van KerckhoveFilippo FiorelliPietro MattioVisma-Lease a Bike for Le Samyn (March 3)Christophe LaporteWout van AertLoe van BelleMatisse Van KerckhoveAldo TaillieuPietro MattioPer Strand Hagenes