The Belgians have a European champion in the field. Among the promises, Jente Michels fulfilled his role of favorite after an exciting battle with the Italian Filippo Agostinacchio and the Dutch unlucky David Haverdings. Yordi Corsus fell just outside the medals.
As the outgoing European U23 champion, Jente Michels felt that everyone was watching him for a two in a row.
When David Haverdings attacked from the start, our compatriot knew what to do. He closed the hole in no time.
After that it was a bit quiet, so a bunch of people came back to the Belgian and the Dutch. Once again, the small differences on the circuit in Pontevedra were striking.
Halfway through the cross, Michels and Haverdings were joined by an Italian. Filippo Agostinacchio joined in and became the third medal candidate.
The decision for the order on the podium had to be made in the last high-speed lap. And it was fate that made the first decision.
A strong Haverdings could no longer defend his chances in the deep end due to a chain problem. He angrily knocked on his handlebars, medals gone.
Michels then quickly dealt with Agostinacchio for an extension of his European U23 title. In the sprint for bronze, Yordi Corsus narrowly missed out on a double Belgian medal, finishing fourth.
“It’s crazy that I’m finishing it again,” the European champion responded. “It wasn’t until the finish line that I could believe it.”
The course is bone dry. “Beats. This gives you a fast cross and it is also warm. In all other categories you had already seen that a large group could fight for victory. Then you have to get into the wheels and follow, because that way you save a lot of energy.”
“I couldn’t do that myself, because as the defending champion, everyone was looking at me. I had to carry the cross and I’m glad I was able to finish it. Now I can wear this sweater for another year.”
