Wout van Aert Eyes Le Samyn Return After Illness Sidelines Him at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad

Wout van Aert, the Belgian cycling star, is hoping to build his season debut at Le Samyn on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, after being forced to miss the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad due to illness. The Visma | Lease a Bike team remains cautiously optimistic about his recovery.

Flu Kept Van Aert Off the Start Line

Van Aert was absent from the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday, February 29, 2026, after falling ill during the week. Team officials have indicated the illness is likely the flu, a widespread ailment currently affecting many in the region. “He is not critically ill, but just sick like we all gain sick sometimes,” stated Visma | Lease a Bike sports director Grischa Niermann Cyclingnews.

CEO Richard Plugge added, “Everyone here knows someone in their area who currently has or has just had the flu. It spreads very quickly and it is a great pity for Wout that he is now contracting it.” Domestique Cycling

Positive Signs for Le Samyn

Despite the setback, there are encouraging signs regarding Van Aert’s recovery. Visma | Lease a Bike sports director Maarten Wynants reported that Van Aert is now eating and drinking, a crucial first step in his recovery. “We hope that he can start in Le Samyn, but an update will follow,” Wynants said at the start of De Omloop. Domestique Cycling

Visma Confident Despite Leader’s Absence

The team remains confident in its ability to perform well at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad despite Van Aert’s absence. “It will of course be something different, Wout is an important factor in our team. But we still have irons in the fire with Brennan and Laporte, so we are still confident,” according to Visma officials. Domestique Cycling

Recent Injury History

This illness comes after Van Aert suffered an ankle fracture during a cyclocross race on January 2, 2026, which initially disrupted his training schedule for the road season. Cyclingnews