Wout van Aert to race for Aqua Blue Sport in 2019

Three-time world cyclocross champion Wout van Aert (Belgium) will be expanding his road cycling program next year as his Vérandas Willems-Crelan (or Sniper Cycling) team was acquired by Aqua Blue Sport, another Pro Continental level outfit. The Irish Aqua Blue Sport squad announced the move on Wednesday. It is hoping for another Grand Tour invitation next season after missing out this year.

https://twitter.com/AquaBlueSport/status/1024652848439742464

Van Aert will wear the team’s distinctive navy and gold kit on both the road and dirt. Team founder Rick Delaney said, “Wout will be a huge addition to the Aqua Blue Sport squad and we are currently in negotiations with a number of other high-profile riders for the 2019 season.”

Van Aert’s third place in Strade Bianche showed his skill and grit on the pavement, and he went on to make top-10’s in both Gent-Wevelgem and the Tour of Flanders.

Watch: Wout van Aert’s epic cramp in finale of Strade Bianchehttps://t.co/j2ZHfLfhY3 pic.twitter.com/BEtpTBiORv

— Canadian Cycling Mag (@CanadianCycling) March 3, 2018

Aqua Blue was formed in 2017 as a Pro Continental team and immediately got invitations to WorldTour races. American Larry Warbasse was the first Blue to win a WorldTour race at the Tour de Suisse that season, and at the squad’s Grand Tour debut, the Vuelta a España, Austrian Stefan Denifl earned the team its first stage win.