UPDATE 22/12 13.30 CET: Unfortunately, Wout van Aert has fallen ill and will not recover in time for tomorrow’s race in Mol. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him back in action soon.

In a disappointing turn of events, Wout van Aert has been forced to withdraw from tomorrow’s highly anticipated cyclocross race in Mol. The Belgian star, who has been a dominant force in the sport this season, is currently battling an illness and, unfortunately, will not recover in time to compete.

Van Aert’s absence from the race is a blow to both his fans and the event itself. The 29-year-old, known for his versatile talents across road cycling and cyclocross, was expected to be one of the top contenders in Mol. His remarkable consistency and ability to perform under pressure have earned him a reputation as one of the most talented and resilient riders of his generation. However, his health has taken priority, and he has made the responsible decision to skip the race in order to fully recover and avoid further complications.

Team Jumbo-Visma, Van Aert’s professional squad, shared the news with regret. “We wish Wout a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back on the bike as soon as possible,” the team wrote in a statement. It is not yet clear when he will return to competition, but his team and fans are hopeful that it will not be long before he is back in action.

Van Aert’s withdrawal will open the door for other top cyclocross riders to compete for victory in Mol. The race, known for its technical challenges and unpredictable conditions, will still feature several top talents, and the absence of one of its biggest stars will undoubtedly create an intriguing dynamic among the competitors.

As the cyclocross season continues to unfold, Van Aert’s health will be closely monitored. His performances this year have shown his capacity to win on both the road and in the mud, and fans are eager to see him return to his winning ways once he is back to full fitness.

We wish Wout van Aert all the best in his recovery and look forward to seeing him return to racing soon.