News broke overnight that Wout Van Aert has left his current team Sniper Cycling.
Branded as Crelan Charles for Cyclocross an official team statement reads Van Aert has decided to Unilaterally Terminate his Contract.
It was previously reported Van Aert was unhappy with the team management and Van Aert has already signed for Lotto NL Jumbo as of 2020.
We expect Van Aert to continue racing Cyclocross this winter most probably as a ‘private rider’ with individual sponsors, or for his new road team – this may or may not be Lotto NL Jumbo for 2019
A full statement from the team can be read below:
Wout van Aert has unilaterally terminated his contract with Sniper Cycling on Monday evening September 17 2018. This decision came despite the fact that the team management tried to unblock the situation last week, e.g. by offering him an improved contract for 2019.
Van Aert did not accept this proposal and has opted to terminate his contract unilaterally with immediate effect. The team management regrets that decision.
This matter is now in the hands of our counselors. No further comment will be made in the meantime.
However, as pointed out repeatedly, we wish to clarify that we will be a ProContinental cycling team in 2019 regardless.