Wout van Aert has 'successful' ankle surgery after heavy crash at Exact Cross in Mol, will miss final cyclo-cross showdown with Mathieu van der Poel
Published 03/01/2026 at 16:36 GMT
Wout van Aert has been ruled out of a final cyclo-cross battle of the season with Mathieu van der Poel after injuring his ankle during a heavy crash at the Exact Cross in Mol. The Belgian was leading the race alongside Van der Poel but slid out in the snowy conditions. Visma-Lease a Bike have since confirmed on social media that he had "successful" surgery after suffering a sprain and a fracture.
Disaster as Van Aert suffers nasty fall in snow during battle with Van der Poel
Video credit: TNT Sports
Visma-Lease a Bike rider Wout van Aert's cyclo-cross season is over after he suffered an ankle injury during a heavy crash at the Exact Cross in Mol.
It means the Belgian will not be fit for a final battle of the season with Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) in Zonhoven on Sunday.
The three-time cyclo-cross world champion was leading Friday’s race alongside Van der Poel, but slid out on a paved turn in the snowy conditions, leading to a heavy fall and his withdrawal from the event.
The 31-year-old appeared to have blood on his right knee, but the main damage was done to his ankle, with Visma confirming on social media that the rider suffered a sprain and a small fracture.
He underwent "successful" surgery on Saturday and his team revealed the focus is now on recovery.
Visma's original post on X included a statement from Van Aert, which read: "Of course, I am very disappointed to have to end my cyclo-cross season like this.
"I was feeling better and better, including today in Mol. I was really looking forward to the race in Zonhoven and the Belgian Championships.
"But my focus will now be on recovery and, later on, the preparation of the road season."
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Highlights: Van der Poel storms to victory in the snow in Mol
Video credit: TNT Sports
Visma manager Jan Boven said after the crash: "He couldn't finish the race and is experiencing significant pain in his ankle.
"He has minor abrasions on his knee, but that's it. His ankle is the most painful. It's so swollen."
Van der Poel had already fallen on the same corner, which allowed Van Aert to catch up with the Dutchman before his race-ending crash.
Asked about this, Boven said: "That certainly wasn't the cause of [Van Aert’s] fall, but Wout was startled, and he thought he'd made a small mistake. It was a real shock reaction.
"Felipe Orts had also fallen a lap earlier; it was a slippery corner."
He added: "In Loenhout, the battle with Van der Poel was also close, but he had two punctures. Today he seemed really at ease."
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Despite his fall, Van der Poel went on to claim his eighth victory of the season, ahead of Toon Aerts (Charles Liegeois-Deschacht) in second and Orts (Ridley Racing Team) in third.
It was his second victory in 2026 already, having won at the X2O Trophee Baal race on New Year's Day.
"I'm getting warm again, but it was really, really cold," Van der Poel said after racing in heavy snow.
Asked if he and Van Aert could have stayed together if not for the crash, he said: "He looked quite strong, so it's difficult to say, of course, but we will never know."
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