Wout van Aert won his fourth Belgian cyclocross title over the weekend, but the Jumbo-Visma rider has already turned his attention to the world championships in Oostende at the end of the month and the 2021 road season.

The 26-year-old rode solo for most of the race in Mœrbeke on Sunday, winning by 20 seconds over Toon Arts of the Baloise Trek Lions. He admitted to getting little sleep and working hard in training, but being a father seems to have motivated him even more.

On Monday, he donned the colors of the Belgian National Champion for a 66 km training ride in Strava entitled "Fresh kit day."

Van Aert and Mathieu Van Der Pol (Alpecin-Phoenix) are the favorites for a fourth world title on January 31, but the Belgian refuses to focus solely on his longtime rivalry with the Dutchman.

"Of course I am already working on [the World Championships]. The course suits my potential perfectly and as a cyclocross rider I can finally reach my level again," Van Aert said according to Het Nieuwsblad (open in new tab).

"I don't see the World Championships as a battle between myself and Mathieu. That's a bad approach. But I know that to be World Champion I have to go up against him. I'm going to take another step forward in my conditioning over the next two weeks."

Van Aert also revealed his upcoming schedule for the World Championships, which includes a week at home with his wife and newborn son Georges, three cyclocross races, and a training camp in Jumbo-Visma.

"First, I'll be home for a week, then next Saturday I'll be in Mol (Zilvermeer Cross) riding in the sand with the tricolors.

"After the race, a week of team training camp in Spain. Training, photography ...... As always, this camp is really not to be missed."

"Then back on Friday for the weekend races in Hamme (X2O Trophy) and Ouvélaise (UCI World Cup). After that I'll focus on the World Championships."

Van Aert described the week as "perfect and unique."

As one of the top riders in the mud, he said the win was special, even though it was largely expected.

"Being a champion is always an emotional issue," he said.

"Everyone expected it, but it by no means goes without saying. The birth of Georges gave me the energy to become a champion. His birth also made me head into the race in a special way. My training was a little less intense and a little more hectic than in the weeks prior. So this victory is extra beautiful."