Mathieu van der Poel claimed a dominant victory at the Exact Cross Loenhout, marking his fourth consecutive win of the season. While Van der Poel’s performance was flawless, the race saw plenty of drama, including a dramatic crash by Wout van Aert in the final lap, which reshuffled the battle for the podium. Laurens Sweeck, who had been Van der Poel’s biggest rival for much of the race, ultimately finished third, while Thibau Nys seized second place after a series of events unfolded in the closing stages.
A Clash of Titans
The Exact Cross in Loenhout was the setting for the first major showdown between Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert this season. The eagerly anticipated duel was a focal point for fans, with a large crowd in attendance as the two stars went head-to-head. The race, held just after Christmas, marked a key point in the cyclo-cross calendar as both riders looked to establish dominance for the season ahead.
As expected, both Van der Poel and Van Aert were quick off the line. The Dutch rider soon took control of the race, leading after the first lap. Van Aert followed closely, but Sweeck was also in the mix, just a few seconds behind. Behind them, Thibau Nys and Tim Merlier formed a chasing group, attempting to keep the leading trio within reach.
Early Setbacks for Van Aert
Van Aert, known for his resilience, encountered a few challenges early in the race. After a brief pit stop on the second lap, he found himself losing time to Van der Poel. Shortly after, a minor slip forced Van Aert to play catch-up once again, widening the gap to his rival. Meanwhile, Van der Poel continued to extend his lead, while Sweeck, showing his trademark tenacity, kept close but struggled to close the gap.
At the end of the second lap, Van der Poel led by six seconds, while Sweeck had Van Aert trailing by 17 seconds. Nys had managed to shake off Merlier, forming a small chase group behind the leaders.
Sweeck’s Strong Challenge
In the third lap, Sweeck showed his fighting spirit by closing the gap to Van der Poel, impressively staying on his wheel. However, Van der Poel responded with a surge in the fourth lap, putting more pressure on the Belgian. Despite Sweeck’s efforts, Van der Poel held firm and continued to build his lead. By the start of the final lap, it became clear that Van der Poel was on course for another victory.
The Final Lap Drama
In the last lap, the battle for second and third intensified. Van Aert, who was in third, collided with a fan after a slight swerve caused by Nys attempting to pass him. The crash allowed Nys to claim second place, while Sweeck secured third. Van der Poel, unaffected by the drama, cruised to an impressive victory.
Despite his crash, Van Aert recovered to finish fourth, showing his resilience. For Van der Poel, the win was a testament to his superior skill and composure, while Nys’ second-place finish highlighted his persistence in a challenging race.
