Van Aert is testing equipment for the Paris-Roubaix and already knows when the cyclocross season will start

Wout van Aert has once again felt the rumble of the cobblestones. The Belgian from Visma–Lease a Bike took advantage of a free window in his schedule to travel to the iconic Carrefour de l’Arbre, the mythical five-star area where a good part of the Paris-Roubaix is decided, and there he completed an intense material testing session. The day, cold and rainy, served the team to fine-tune components for the spring. And, by the way, we already know that his return to cyclocross will come a bit later than usual.

Material Testing and Cyclocross Calendar

According to the newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, Van Aert rode alongside Christophe Laporte and the newcomers Timo Kielich and Aldo Taillieu. The quartet passed several times through the most decisive area of the Hell of the North, in a session focused on validating configurations and recalling sensations on real cobblestones, away from competitive pressure.

In terms of equipment, Visma–Lease a Bike continues with the same base as in recent years: Cervélo bikes, SRAM transmission and components, Reserve wheels, and Vittoria tires. However, the Dutch structure takes advantage of every November to adjust details, and this year they tested the GRAVAA pressure control system, a technology that allows modifying the inflation of the wheels on the go. The goal is to arrive at the classics with a tested setup and without last-minute experiments.

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As for Van Aert's upcoming competitive events, the team's concentration in Oliva (December 8–16) completely conditions his start in the mud. Van Aert has always been one to reappear in early December, but this year his return will be delayed by a few days to complete the full block of training, medical tests, and internal recordings with sponsors.

After the stage, the same newspaper points to a return in one of the three events around Christmas, all sand classics, his favorite terrain. According to available information, the Belgian will decide between the Antwerp World Cup (December 20), the Koksijde World Cup (December 21), or the X2O Trofee in Hofstade (December 22)

The choice is not closed, but the environment indicates that his debut will come at one of these three events.