Exact Cross Loenhout
3:00 PM Loenhout
No, the first meeting between Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert did not become a duel. As expected, the world champion was also a size too big for the returning Belgian – who had to deal with germs last week – in Loenhout. Van Aert seemed to immediately fight his way to the podium after a thrilling battle among the Belgians, but an ultimate fall dropped him back to fourth place.
Was the long wait rewarded? Anyway.
With the holeshot, Wout van Aert spoiled the sea of people in Loenhout, where there was a real festival atmosphere. But after more than 5 minutes the largest bull stood up in the arena.
Mathieu van der Poel pressed his accelerator for the first time, Van Aert fought back like a devil in a holy water font.
After falling to his knees in the mud, Van Aert had to leave the chase to Laurens Sweeck.
The latter surprised friend and foe with a stunning catch-up race. After 3 of the 7 rounds, Sweeck had captured the supposedly untouchable world champion. MVDP afterwards invoked a saddle break as an explanation.
However, there was no brainstorming during the pair time trial: half a lap later, Sweeck’s song had already been sung.
Van der Poel was outlawed and did what he came to Loenhout to do: win, even though he did not always look fresh under his arms after a heavy Christmas menu.
In the background Sweeck had blown himself up, Thibau Nys and Van Aert smelled blood.
The three of them seemed to be on their way to a podium sprint, until Van Aert started to drift in a corner and had to give up after a slight collision with a spectator.
A small anticlimax after an otherwise fascinating piece.
Related:
Result Exact Cross Loenhout
| name | result | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mathieu van der Poel | in 58’11” |
| 2 | Thibau Nys | op 14″ |
| 3 |  Laurens Sweeck | 15″ |
| 4 | Wout van Aert | 36″ |
| 5 | Niels Vandeputte | 1’09” |
| 6 | Jens Adams | 1’15” |
| 7 | Thomas Mein | 1’27” |
| 8 | Lander Loockx | 1’34” |
| 9 | Tim Merlier | 1’54” |
| 10 | Thijs Aerts | 2’04” |
Nys sprints to 2nd place against Sweeck
This slide ensures that the podium is gone for Van Aert
It won’t be a real sprint: Nys takes 2nd place ahead of Sweeck.
Van Aert finishes at 4.
MVDP
We almost forgot, but the winner crossed the finish line. Mathieu van der Poel crows victory. He doesn’t give out a gift himself, but he hasn’t received one either.
Nys puts pressure on Sweeck with long strokes while walking. He has to do everything he can to catch on.
Van Aert is still loudly encouraged, but he will have to leave the sprint to Nys and Sweeck.
Anticlimax! Van Aert is caught by Nys on the inside bend and starts to drift a bit. There he comes into contact with a spectator and the stage is gone.
We are halfway through the final round. Van Aert drills through, but there is no separation.
Van der Poel collides with a post: “He just drives it into 2”
The focus is now on the three-way battle of the Belgians. Van Aert wants the lead. Sweeck and Nys follow in that ranking.
Van Aert and Nys have caught Sweeck. Will it come to a sprint with 3?
End of round 6
Van der Poel hears the bell for the final round. Behind the Dutchman they slow down for a moment for a dazzling final chord.
The three of them head towards the final round. That will be very exciting for 2nd place.
Sweeck has the flags. Nys revs up and rushes past him, Van Aert is approaching.
He does not remain flawless: Van der Poel slides away in a bend and collides with his shoulder against a post. It lies against the canvas. Does the slipper wake him up again?
For 2nd and 3rd place everything is on a handkerchief. There is the tension with Nys advancing towards Sweeck and Van Aert also hanging on the stretcher.
Everything in 1 image: 1. Van der Poel, 2. Sweeck, 3. Nys, 4. Van Aert
Does Sweeck feel the mood gradually approaching? Looks like he puffed up a bit. Nys and Van Aert are breathing down his neck more and more.
Exact Cross
