Toon Arts will compete in the UCI Cyclocross World Cup in Zolder on Thursday.

"Starting in Zolder is not an extra risk for his rib injury," his Telenet Baloise team said on Twitter.

Aerts had a thrilling back-and-forth battle with world champion Mathieu van der Pol on the rain-slicked Namur circuit. Covered in mud and freezing cold puddles, the track became more treacherous as the race progressed.

Aerts led until the last lap when he made several mistakes that allowed Van der Pol to re-accelerate. Aerts crashed hard into the wooden pole on the final lap downhill.

The Belgian champion finished second and took the lead in the World Cup series thanks to the retirement of his compatriot Eli Yzerbito from the race due to hypothermia.

Initial X-rays revealed one non-displaced rib fracture, but additional tests on Tuesday showed four broken ribs.