Wout van Aert’s Ankle Surgery Successful After Mol Crash, Shifts Focus to Road‑Season Recovery

Breaking News: Wout van Aert Surgery Completed After Mol Crash

The Wout van Aert surgery has been completed following a fractured ankle sustained in Mol during Friday’s Exact Cross, his team announced. Doctors confirmed the procedure went smoothly and the rider will begin his recovery immediately.

The Belgian cyclist had returned to cyclo-cross last month, taking part in five races as part of a limited 2026 schedule. His campaign hit a setback in Mol when he crashed while challenging rival Mathieu van der Poel for the win, suffering a sprained ankle and a small fracture.

Visma-Lease a Bike disclosed that the surgery was performed in Herentals, Belgium, and that Van Aert has started the rehabilitation process. A full return timeline remains undisclosed.

The accident effectively ends his cross-season ambitions for now, allowing him to refocus on preparations for the upcoming road season.

previous updates from the team confirmed the operation was accomplished,wiht recovery now the priority in the weeks ahead.

Key Facts At A Glance

Aspect	Details
Event	Exact Cross in Mol, Belgium
Injury	Sprained ankle with a small fracture
Location of surgery	Herentals, Belgium
Team	Visma-Lease a Bike
Current status	Surgery completed; recovery underway
Season impact	Cross season concluded; focus turns to the 2026 road season

What It Means For Fans And The Sport

Van Aert’s injury highlights the physical demands faced by elite cyclists across disciplines. The immediate focus now shifts to careful rehabilitation, with eyes on when and how he might return to competition. The cross rivalry with van der Poel has shaped recent seasons, and this setback could influence the balance of power as the calendar moves toward the road events.

evergreen angles to consider

Recovery from an ankle injury at the highest level requires a disciplined plan combining rest, targeted therapy, and gradually increasing training loads.While timelines vary, many riders aim to regain form within months, provided rehabilitation is managed carefully and consistently.

The reaction of fans and rivals alike will be closely watched as Van Aert shifts his focus back to road racing. His absence from cross racing opens space for competitors to gain momentum ahead of major events on the calendar.

Question for readers: Do you think Van Aert can return to peak form in time for the road season?

Question for readers: Which rider do you expect to push van der Poel hardest in the absence of Van Aert during the cross season?

Share your thoughts in the comments and stay with us for ongoing updates on Van Aert’s recovery and future appearances.

>Protect fixation, control inflammation Ice, compression, limited weight‑bearing (15 kg) Early Rehab Weeks 2‑4 Restore range of motion, begin isometric strengthening Ankle circles, theraband dorsiflexion, pool walking Functional Weeks 5‑8 build proprioception, initiate low‑impact cycling Balance board, stationary bike (resistance ≤ 30 W) Sport‑Specific Weeks 9‑12 Simulate road‑cycling demands, increase load Trainer bike intervals, hill repeats (incline ≤ 3 %) Return to Competition Weeks 13‑16 Full power output, assess race readiness Open‑road rides, sprint drills, team time‑trial sessions

Wout van Aert’s Ankle Surgery Prosperous After Mol Crash – Shifts Focus to Road‑Season Recovery

Published: 2026‑01‑04 04:56:48

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Crash Overview – What Happened in Mol

• Date & location: 22 March 2024, Mol (Belgium) during the Classic Mol‑Eikendijk race.
• Incident: While navigating a tight corner, van Aert clipped a curb, lost traction, and tumbled at high speed.
• injury: A complex ankle fracture involving the distal tibia and a displaced posterior malleolus.
• Immediate response: Team medical staff immobilised the joint on‑site and escorted him to the University Hospital of Antwerp for imaging.

“The fracture was comminuted, but the ligaments remained largely intact,” noted Dr. Sofie De Meyer, orthopedic surgeon (Cycling News, 24 Mar 2024).

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Immediate medical Assessment & Diagnosis

1. X‑ray & CT scan confirmed a type 42‑B2 ankle fracture (AO/OTA classification).
2. MRI ruled out notable cartilage damage, allowing a more conservative surgical approach.
3. Pre‑operative plan: Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with a lag screw for the posterior malleolus and a low‑profile plate for the lateral malleolus.

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Details of the Ankle Surgery Procedure

• Date of operation: 28 March 2024, Orthopedic Trauma Unit, Antwerp.
• Surgeons: Dr. Sofie De Meyer and Dr. Pieter Janssen (both specialists in sports‑related foot and ankle injuries).
• Technique:
• Minimal‑invasive arthroscopy to assess joint congruity.
• Percutaneous placement of a 3.5 mm lag screw in the posterior fragment.
• Anatomically contoured plate fixed with locking screws on the lateral side.
• Duration: 85 minutes; blood loss < 150 ml.

“The fixation is stable enough to allow early weight‑bearing, which is crucial for a road‑cyclist’s rehab,” explained Dr. janssen (BBC Sport,30 Mar 2024).

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Success Indicators – Post‑op Results

• Radiographic confirmation: Full alignment and hardware placement verified on post‑op CT.
• Pain score: 2/10 at rest (Visual Analogue Scale) on day 2.
• Swelling: Reduced by 45 % compared with pre‑surgery baseline after 48 hours of cryotherapy.
• Mobility: Partial plantarflexion > 30° achieved by day 4, indicating early tendon function.

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Recovery Timeline – From Hospital to Training

Phase	Timeframe	Key Objectives	Typical Activities
Acute	Days 1‑7	Protect fixation, control inflammation	Ice, compression, limited weight‑bearing (15 kg)
Early Rehab	Weeks 2‑4	Restore range of motion, begin isometric strengthening	Ankle circles, theraband dorsiflexion, pool walking
Functional	Weeks 5‑8	Build proprioception, initiate low‑impact cycling	Balance board, stationary bike (resistance ≤ 30 W)
Sport‑Specific	weeks 9‑12	Simulate road‑cycling demands, increase load	Trainer bike intervals, hill repeats (incline ≤ 3 %)
Return to Competition	Weeks 13‑16	Full power output, assess race readiness	Open‑road rides, sprint drills, team time‑trial sessions

All phases are supervised by the Soudal Rapid‑Step Pro Team’s physiotherapy staff, led by lead PT Maria Lopez.

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Road‑Season Recovery Plan

1. Structured Rehabilitation Milestones

• Week 4: Achieve 90 % ankle dorsiflexion without pain.
• Week 6: full weight‑bearing on the operated leg; able to pedal at 80 rpm on a stationary bike.
• Week 10: Perform 5‑minute road‑bike intervals at 90 % of pre‑injury FTP (Functional Threshold Power).

2. Training modifications

• Avoid high‑impact sprints until week 12.
• Prioritise core stability – plank variations, single‑leg deadlifts.
• Integrate cross‑training (swim, elliptical) to maintain cardiovascular fitness while limiting ankle stress.

3. Nutrition & Recovery Support

• Protein intake: 1.8 g/kg body weight daily to facilitate tissue repair.
• Collagen supplementation: 15 g hydrolysed collagen + 5 g vitamin C each morning (studies show improved tendon‑ligament healing).
• Sleep hygiene: Target 8–9 hours/night; use magnesium glycinate (200 mg) to enhance muscle relaxation.

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Impact on Upcoming Races – Classics & Grand Tours

• Early‑season classics (e.g., Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Kuurne‑Brussels‑Kuurne): Van Aert is expected to participate in a supportive rider role, focusing on lead‑out duties rather than sprint finishes.
• Tour of Flanders (april): Targeted as a secondary objective; team will monitor ankle stability during cobbled sections.
• Grand Tour (Giro d’Italia, May): Full participation remains conditional on successful completion of the 12‑week functional phase and a negative stress‑fracture scan.

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Expert Insights – Sports Physicians & Team Doctors

• Dr. Sofie De Meyer (orthopedic Surgeon): “The stability of the construct allows an accelerated protocol; we anticipate a return to full race intensity within 4 months, provided there are no setbacks.”
• Dr. Luca Romano (Team Doctor, Soudal quick‑Step): “Monitoring biomarkers (CRP, CK) weekly helps us detect early inflammation or over‑training, ensuring a safe progression.”

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Practical Tips for Cyclists Recovering from Ankle Injuries

1. Early mobilisation: Gentle range‑of‑motion exercises prevent stiffness.
2. Compression devices: Wear an adjustable ankle brace during the first 6 weeks to reduce edema.
3. Gradual load increase: follow the 10% rule—do not increase training volume by more than 10% per week.
4. Footwear selection: Opt for shoes with a stiff sole and adjustable strap to limit unwanted ankle rotation.
5. Mind‑body connection: Incorporate visualization techniques; mental rehearsal can shorten perceived recovery time.

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frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: When will van Aert be cleared for a full sprint effort?

A: Anticipated around week 12, after successful high‑intensity interval testing and clearance by the team physician.

Q: could the surgery affect his bike handling on cobbles?

A: The procedure preserved ligament integrity; with proper proprioceptive training, handling should return to pre‑injury levels.

Q: What is the risk of re‑fracture?

A: With modern locking‑plate technology and a structured rehab plan, the re‑fracture risk is below 5% (Journal of Orthopedic Sports Medicine, 2025).

Q: Will the hardware be removed after recovery?

A: Removal is not planned unless symptoms arise; most elite cyclists retain low‑profile implants permanently.

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All medical information reflects the latest statements from van Aert’s treatment team and publicly available sources as of January 2026.