Many names were mentioned beforehand as contenders for victory. Apart from Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel, almost all the top players attempted to win this World Cup round. Thibau Nys was the man who was the first to enter the field after a great start. Eli Iserbyt, Laurens Sweeck and Michael Vanthourenhout were also right at the front.
It was mainly Laurens Sweeck who made an impression in the beginning in his beloved sand, but after the first round it was all still very close. It was a struggle to get a good spot and that created a spectacle.
A first hole was found by the five Vanthourenhout, Nys, Iserbyt, Sweeck and Van der Haar, but that was quickly closed by the Swiss Kevin Kuhn, so it was all back together. It was a fight for every meter.
A sharp acceleration by Laurens Sweeck on a sand strip ensured that he had a small lead over Nys, Iserbyt and Van der Haar after the second round. Nys let Iserbyt lead the chase and that ensured that the Belgian champion was the first to join sandman Sweeck again. A leading group of seven was formed. Wyseure, Vandeputte and Vanthourenhout were also at the front.
Eli Iserbyt took the lead and did so with verve. The Belgian champion clearly felt at home in the sand and with a number of accelerations he ensured that the leading group split. Only Vanthourenhout and Sweeck were initially able to follow. Iserbyt put heavy pressure on the opposition. Halfway through the race he went solo and created a first significant gap. Going into the fifth lap, Iserbyt had a seven-second lead. That lead kept growing and so the bird seemed to take flight.
During the chase it quickly became clear that Nys would no longer play a significant role. The European champion felt his shoulder and allegedly crashed into a post. Behind Iserbyt there was a duel for second place between Sweeck and Vanthourenhout. Going into the final round it was already clear that second place was the highest achievable. Iserbyt started the final lap with a lead of seventeen seconds. He rode it without any accidents and so for the time being he can call himself the leader in the World Cup classification.
The duel for second place ended with an anticlimax. Vanthourenhout had to change bikes after a flat tire, which meant that Sweeck was allowed to stand on the second highest scaffold and Vanthourenhout had to settle for third place.
Top 10:
- That is, Iserby
- Laurens Sweeck
- Michael Vanthourenhout
- Joran Wyseure
- Niels Vandeputte
- Lars van der Haar
- Pim Ronhaar
- Toon Aerts
- Felipe Orts
- Kevin Kuhn
Zandman Sweeck on 2
Laurens Sweeck seemed to be the better in the opening phase, but he was unable to parry Iserbyt’s decisive attack. Second place was the highest possible. Vanthourenhout completes the perfect weekend of Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal with a third podium finish.
Iserbyt opens the World Cup with a win!
A decisive moment in round 4 meant the end of the tension in Antwerp. Belgian champion Eli Iserbyt breaks the sand of Antwerp and records his first victory in a classification cross this season. The World Cup is his right now.
Ronde 8/8
Sweeck has a significant gap at Vanthourenhout. The podium slices have been divided.
Ronde 8/8
A bike change by Michael Vanthourenhout now ruins the battle for place 2 a bit. A flat tire can mean the difference between second and third.
Ronde 8/8
Iserbyt, just like Fem van Empel, will have a perfect weekend for the women today. At the right time, the Belgian champion once again takes the upper hand.
Ronde 8/8
The battle for 2nd place now seems the most interesting. Joran Wyseure and Niels Vandeputte will also fight a fierce duel.
Ronde 7/8
European champion Nys tumbles further away. Aerts and Kuypers started in row 5 and are now aiming for a closer place of honor.
Ronde 7/8
Victory now seems to have been won for Eli Iserbyt. Laurens Sweeck has now even allowed Michael Vanthourenhout to ride in 2nd place. The battle for the remaining podium places has therefore begun.
Ronde 7/8
In the background we saw an image of the European champion. Thibau Nys crashed into a post at the equipment post and also had to leave Pim Ronhaar in 7th place.
Ronde 7/8
Laurens Sweeck is still 14 seconds behind Eli Iserbyt. The decisive moment in round 4 was therefore the death blow for Iserbyt’s opponents.
Ronde 6/8
Joran Wyseure has now surpassed Niels Vandeputte and moved to 4th place. The two young people just see the Sweeck-Vanthourenhout pair driving ahead of them.
Ronde 6/8
The deficit of Sweeck and Vanthourenhout has again increased somewhat. If the leader doesn’t have a breakdown, the winner may be known.
Ronde 6/8
We now also see things cracking behind the Sweeck-Vanthourenhout duo. Vandeputte is not having the best day and it is not the most pleasant day for Joran Wyseure and Lars van der Haar either.
Ronde 6/8
Eli Iserbyt still maintains a high pace. The Belgian champion will now want to keep this up until the end.
Ronde 5/8
Laurens Sweeck crosses the line at 13 seconds. We can gradually write off Nys for profit today.
Ronde 5/8
Vandeputte now keeps the deficit more or less the same. The sand strips at the end of the round will make it more clear.
Ronde 5/8
Iserbyt now flies on every surface of the course. A very good chase will have to be set up to catch up with the West Flemish.
Ronde 5/8
Iserbyt has already collected 11 seconds. Did the bird fly?
