“The season couldn’t have started better” for Lars van der Haar, winner of the opening cross-country race in Beringen on Saturday. The Dutchman was delighted with his success after a difficult start to the day.
“I was out of breath at the start of the race, it was going a little too fast for me,” Van der Haar said afterwards. “I didn’t think it would be my day, but the race evolved in the last laps. I was then able to take the cross country in hand.”
The season is therefore launched for the one who won two victories last year. “I felt during training that the condition was good, but there are still questions at the start of the first race of the season. I now have the answers!”
The dolphin Michael Vanthourenhout, who shared these questions, is also reassured about his condition and returns “with a good feeling at home.” Van der Haar dominated him, without it surprising him. “He is at his best level in the last part of the races,” analyzed Vanthourenhout.
For Niels Vandeputte, 3rd in the race, the opening cross brought its share of satisfaction. “I was climbing well, on a route that didn’t particularly suit me.”
Eli Iserbyt, for his part, made his mea culpa after his violent attack against the Dutchman Ryan Kamp, kicking his competitor’s bike following a collision. This earned him a disqualification. “The reaction was unnecessary. It happened in the heat of the moment. There has been tension between us since last season, but my reaction was not good. The stomping followed a verbal reaction from his part. He didn’t have to push me either. But I recognize that I made a mistake.”
