The Dutchman managed to complete a solo action that began on the first of the seven laps
Incredible show in Loenhout (Belgium) north of Antwerp, on the border with Holland, in the World Cup race which was the first challenge of the season between the two cyclocross giants: Mathieu Van der Poel against Wout Van Aert. Over thirty thousand fans and a suffocating sound surrounded the two mud gladiators: the six-time world champion Van der Poel prevailed, taking off in the second of the seven laps and finishing 14″ ahead of the Belgians Thibau Nys and 15 ” on Laurens Sweeck. Fourth was Van Aert at 36”, who fell twice: the last one was decisive on the final lap, when second place was in play with Nys and Sweeck.
the challenge
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It was the 197th duel between VdP and Van Aert since 2009, when they were students (15 years old): 124 to 51 for Van der Poel, 96 victories to 39 for Van der Poel in the elite category. Nine World Cups out of 10, since 2015, won by the two (6 VdP and 3 Van Aert: with the exception of 2022, first Pidcock, when the two were absent). For Van der Poel it was the fourth victory out of as many cyclocross races contested this winter (Zonhoven, Mol and Gavere), while Van Aert was making his debut after his fall in the Vuelta on 3 September, the long re-education and the flu last week. The Flemish arrived blowing kisses to the public and his fans. Disappointed with the result, but in any case he savored the adrenaline of the race again after almost four months.