The race was marked by the disqualification of Belgian champion Eli Iserbyt. The latter lost his temper following a collision with the Dutchman Ryan Kamp who took both runners to the mat. Iserbyt, before getting back on his bike, kicked his competitor’s wheel with his heel in revenge, obviously with the aim of damaging it. The commissioners did not miss the incident and showed the culprit the exit a few minutes later.
In 2023, it was Thibau Nys who won in Beringen. After his exceptional road season, he placed 12th in the restart race on Saturday.
Among the women, world champion Fem van Empel dominated the debates for the third year in a row. The 22-year-old Dutchwoman, almost unbeatable last season with 19 victories in 21 crosses, was well ahead of her compatriots Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado and Lucinda Brand. These arrived 42 seconds and 1:16 behind the winner.
Behind another Dutchwoman, Aniek van Alphen, Alicia Franck finished as the best Belgian in 5th position, 1:50 behind Van Empel. Marion Norbert Riberolle ranked 7th and Fleur Moors 8th.
In the junior category, Mats Vanden Eynde took victory in a two-man sprint ahead of Arthur Van Den Boer. Giel Lejeune climbed onto the 3rd step of the podium.
