Nys and Del Grosso were able to follow Van der Poel in the first ten minutes, but the gap was closed with a new attack by MVDP in the second round. The Dutchman consolidated his lead in the rest of the cross.
Earlier this winter, 31-year-old Van der Poel won all twelve crosses in which he started with force majeure. He previously became world champion in 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025. After Sunday, MVDP is the only record holder and is better than Erik De Vlaeminck’s seven rainbow jerseys between 1966 and 1973.
Gerben Kuypers finished sixth after a great race and was the first West Flemish.
