Mathieu van der Poel has also won the World Cup Cross in Gavere, Belgium. The cyclo-cross world champion from Alpecin-Deceuninck was in action for the third time this winter and, just like in Zonhoven (World Cup) and Mol (Superprestige), he was in a class of his own.
Belgian Michael Vanthourenhout finished second at 26 seconds. He is also the leader in the World Cup standings. His compatriot Thibau Nys came third, the Dutchman Lars van der Haar fourth.
Wout van Aert will be at the start for the first time on Friday. The Belgian had to postpone his return to the field for a while, but in the Exact Cross of Loenhout it is time for the first duel between the Belgian and Van der Poel, the two best cyclo-cross riders of this generation.