Cyclocross star Wout van Aert is expected to sign a 2019 contract with Team Jumbo within the next two weeks, according to a report in Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad.
It’s expected that the Belgian rider’s contract will start on 1st March, allowing the reigning Cyclocross World Champion to make his debut for the Dutch squad at the first of the Spring Classics, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on 2nd March.
Negotiations between Van Aert’s management and the team are currently ongoing, and are expected to be finalised in time for the team presentation on 21st December.
Team Jumbo reportedly still has to find the extra money to pay Van Aert, who is joining the team 10 months ahead of schedule after breaking his contract with Sniper Cycling in September.
One sticking point, however, is the ongoing legal case regarding that contract cancellation. While the UCI granted Van Aert permission to sign for a new road team last month, the court case could last a year in Belgian courts.
Van Aert’s management report that Team Jumbo would prefer the rider to pay the fee for breaching his contract, though handing over such a large sum seems unlikely.
Van Aert is currently in Calpe, Spain until 10th December, training alongside fellow ‘crossers Tim Merlier and Quinten Hermans.
The 24-year-old has won one race so far this cyclocross season, at Kermiscross in October. Elsewhere, he’s racked up six second-places across the UCI Cyclocross World Cup and Superprestige series.