Van Aert to race Omloop Nieuwsblad two months after ankle fracture

Two months after breaking his ankle at Zilvermeercross on 2nd January, Wout van Aert is set to make his 2026 season debut at Omloop Nieuwsblad.

The Belgian won the classic that kicks off Opening Weekend in 2022, also in his first appearance of the season, and he came back to finish third two years later – winning the sprint from the bunch behind two attackers, his then-teammate Jan Tratnik and Nils Politt.

Joining the Belgian at the start line in Bruges will be Christophe Laporte, who has recovered well after crashing out of the Ruta del Sol having won the opening stage. Matthew Brennan will be the third string to the Visma-Lease a Bike bow, with the pressure increasing for the young Brit after a breakthrough 2025. Laporte and Brennan will then lead the team in Sunday's Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne.

Visma's lineup for Omloop:

• Wout van Aert
• Edoardo Affini
• Matthew Brennan
• Per Strand Hagenes
• Timo Kielich
• Christophe Laporte
• Axel Zingle