Wout van Aert says life 'more complicated' after ankle injury, admits 'walking is still painful' as he targets Giro d'Italia return
Published 18/01/2026 at 10:17 GMT
React to this story
Visma-Lease a Bike will hope Wout van Aert is back to full strength as the new cycling season draws nearer. The 31-year-old suffered a nasty ankle injury in cyclo-cross on January 2, but he gave a positive update on his condition. Van Aert is hoping to be fully fit for the upcoming Giro d'Italia and what promises to be another gruelling Tour de France - both live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Disaster as Van Aert suffers nasty fall in snow during battle with Van der Poel
Video credit: TNT Sports
Wout van Aert has provided an update on his fitness after suffering an ankle injury in the Mol cyclo-cross race earlier this month.
The Belgian Visma–Lease a Bike rider required surgery after the accident and is undergoing rehabilitation in a bid to be ready for the coming season.
And he revealed the injury is perhaps not as serious as first feared, despite some lingering discomfort.
"It probably looks worse than it is," Van Aert said. "Walking is still painful at times and I have to be careful not to take too many steps.
"It’s been good that I’ve already got some time on the bike - and it feels more or less fine. It’s always amazing to be back on the bike.
"It’s more or less okay. The fact that my foot fits in the shoe is a good sign. It still goes up and down a bit. We’re working daily to improve it. Since I started riding again, I’m confident I’ll recover quickly."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/10/22/image-c86b997a-d144-4a20-aace-998866f1da91-85-2560-1440.png)
'Oh my word!' - Watch the best cycling finishes of 2025
Video credit: TNT Sports
On the potential impact of the injury, Van Aert added: "It certainly ruined my cyclo-cross winter. I was ambitious for the races that were still coming. It was a big blow personally.
"I hope that in a few months I can say it didn’t ruin my season. The new year has only just begun. I hope time will be on my side, so I’m hopefully ready for the upcoming season."
Van Aert, who won memorably in the closing stage of the Tour de France last year, will hope he is fully fit for the Giro d'Italia in May.
"They call it a joint fracture, and I had surgery the next day," he said. "Since then it’s gone relatively smoothly and I could already get on the rollers quite quickly.
"Right now, when I’m on the bike without intensity, it’s okay. My foot is basically locked in the cycling shoe, so that’s manageable.
"Normal life is more complicated. Walking takes a lot of energy, and when I put my foot down, the swelling comes back.
"The fracture is held together with a screw and the ligaments around it need recovery, so we’re looking at it day by day."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/29/image-3b4dc948-315b-4e6b-8b2e-6408963eba32-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Highlights: Van der Poel storms to victory in Loenhout as Van Aert thwarted by punctures
Video credit: TNT Sports
- Vingegaard to ride in Giro d'Italia and Tour de France in 2026
- 'Suffering' Vingegaard says Yates retirement a 'big blow'
On the psychological side of his recovery, Van Aert added: "Mentality was pretty tough.
"I felt myself improving throughout the cyclo-cross season towards the races that were still to come.
"Luckily, I could get on the rollers quickly so there wasn’t much time where I could only lie around. That helps, knowing you’re not losing too much fitness.
"Of course you get fed up for a moment, but after a few days you think back to the moments riding among the crowd. Then you realise again what you’re doing it for."
Watch and stream the 2026 cycling season - including the Tour de France in July - live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement