Van Aert wins Hexia Cross in Gullegem ahead of Iserbyt and Vanthourenhout

Big lead

In the quagmire of Gullegem, the Belgian champion had a lead of 22 seconds over first pursuer Eli Iserbyt at the line. Michael Vanthourenhout was third at 41 seconds. On the honors list, Van Aert is the successor to Tom Pidcock, who won the then loose cross last year. The three editions before that, Mathieu van der Poel was at the party. The race in Gullegem has only existed since 2018 and is on the Superprestige calendar for the first time.

Top favorite with the ladies

Among the women, the Dutch Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado was the top favorite and she was able to live up to that role. “Although I certainly didn’t get it as a gift,” she said afterwards. “I really had to drive hard.” Alvarado strengthened the lead in the Superprestige standings. She now has 95 points, four more than Inge van der Heijden. “This morning the gap was still three points, now there are four. So that is another step forward and I am happy with that. One more cross is waiting, then I have to give everything again in Middelkerke.”

The super prestige will be concluded in Middelkerke at the beginning of next month.