“I wasn’t feeling well for a lap or two,” Iserbyt admitted. “The beer hit me right in the face. It was unexpected. Anyway, it was up to me to find my focus again. That took a while, but towards the end of the match I found it again. But of course you don’t expect something like that.”
The incident was a blemish on an otherwise flawless race. “There were a lot of people. If only one person from all the spectators throws, that is a great stroke of luck. But of course it shouldn’t happen. All in all, the incident didn’t have a major impact on my race, but I was there for a while not good.” (Continue reading below the video)
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About the match itself. “I am a bit disappointed,” said the Belgian champion. “Lars was the strongest today. He made a very good attack. I just missed hitting his wheel. I was then floating around a bit, but I tried to limit the damage for the rankings. That is also important.”
Two days before the European Championships, Iserbyt is in good condition. “In general the condition is good. However, every cross there is always someone who is a little better and a little fresher in his gear. But I gave it my all today. So I have to be satisfied with my second place.”
Toon Aerts: “Another step forward”
Toon Aerts has achieved his first podium finish this season. The 31-year-old rider from Deschacht-Hens only had to let Lars van der Haar and Eli Iserbyt go ahead. Aerts is therefore heading to the European Championship in Pontevedra, Spain, which is scheduled for Sunday, with a good feeling.
“I have been close to a podium place a few times this season and now the time has finally come,” said Aerts. “In Overijse, however, I had a real off day. That makes you doubt yourself. I swept all those doubts aside today with a third place. I think this will be my fate this season: trial and error. Then good again, then a little less. After all, I was out for two years, but I don’t want to think about that too much anymore.”
“This is another step forward, a milestone indeed,” Aerts was satisfied with his third place. “A first milestone was returning to competition after my suspension. That worked. I hope that what I accomplished today will not be the pinnacle. Step by step I want to climb again. Sooner or later I will achieve that.”
Aerts already became European champion in 2016 in Pontchateau, France. “We have a lot of irons in the fire with the Belgian team. I already looked at the course on the internet. It doesn’t really sit well with me, but it does for many – I think. Let us come back as a satisfied Belgian team.”
Iserbyt and Aerts flank Van der Haar on the podium. — © BELGIUM
