Wout van Aert to debut at Belgian Gravel Championship

Professional cyclist Wout van Aert is set to make his debut at the Belgian Gravel Championship in Grobbendonk this Sunday. The Visma | Lease a Bike rider is considered a top favorite for the event, having previously won the Marly Grav race in Valkenburg.

Organizers from Golazo Group noted that Van Aert’s participation is expected to draw significant public interest. Erwin Vervecken, manager of the UCI Gravel World Series at Golazo Group, stated that the athlete's presence is a major draw for fans.

Van Aert’s decision to compete is driven by his passion for gravel racing and the proximity of the event to his home in Herentals. The race also serves as part of his preparation for the Vuelta a España, which begins on August 22. This follows a successful return to racing after recovering from an elbow injury that caused him to miss the Tour de France.