Wout van Aert has undergone successful surgery after fracturing his ankle during a crash at the Exact Cross cyclocross race in Mol, bringing an abrupt end to his winter campaign and raising fresh questions about his preparation for the 2026 road season.

The Belgian rider went down hard on a paved section while battling Dutch rival Mathieu van der Poel for the lead in snowy conditions on Friday. Van Aert immediately abandoned the race with a bleeding knee, and later scans revealed a sprained ankle and a small fracture.

The 31-year-old Visma-Lease a Bike leader had returned to cyclocross with a limited schedule this winter, racing just five events. But the crash in Mol not only cut that season short, it also put his early 2026 plans on hold.

Van Aert was operated on in Herentals, Belgium, on Saturday morning. His team confirmed the procedure went well, but offered no clear timeline for recovery.

“The surgery was successful,” Visma-Lease a Bike said. “Wout will now begin his recovery.”

While the full extent of the layoff is still unclear, the team is hopeful that Van Aert will have time to regain form ahead of key spring road races and the summer Tour de France. His absence from cyclocross means fans will miss the latest chapter in his storied rivalry with van der Poel, at least until the road season begins.

For now, Van Aert will shift his focus from muddy circuits to healing up for what’s expected to be another ambitious road campaign.