Eli Iserbyt has won his first cyclocross in Baal since November 24, in Antwerp, and since he was tormented by nerve pain. Iserbyt whistled back a little after halfway through the quickly departed Pim Ronhaar and Emiel Verstrynge. Thibau Nys was keen to win the GP named after his father for the first time, but he made too many mistakes in the early stages and eventually broke the spring.
Mathieu van der Poel had to forfeit, so it became an open battle in Baal. That battle was not won by Thibau Nys. Due to a bad start, a fall and a shoe problem, he never got to the front. He fell through the ice in the final and finished 5th.
Pim Ronhaar and Emiel Verstrynge were the best starters. They put pressure on the rest on and around the Balenberg.
Only Eli Iserbyt was able to respond. Halfway through cross he turns the two into three.
He did not wait long to take command. Iserbyt also found a place on a steep hill to make a difference. Ronhaar and Verstrynge kept getting off, but he didn’t.
In the penultimate lap his two companions cracked. With conviction he continued briskly to the end. For the first time since November 24, Iserbyt is on the podium, immediately good for a victory.
Ronhaar and Verstrynge shared the other podium places. Toon Aerts rode a cross in the background and finished fourth.
With 3 rounds to go, Eli Iserbyt is doing an excellent job in the X²O Bathrooms Trophy. His lead is already almost 4 minutes.
The victory in Baal was clearly rewarding That is, Iserby. “It has been a long time since I was able to win again (24/11 in Antwerp, ed). In the beginning I had to make some income.”
“We had also discussed in advance to definitely focus on the last half hour. At the end I was able to make the difference with a good acceleration of the pace, but I think that Pim Ronhaar and Emiel Verstrynge also rode a very nice race.”
Iserbyt made the difference on the hill, where he was the only one who could ride up. “I felt a little more strength in my left leg again. Then you can go a little more fully on those power pieces. The parts on the saddle also went a little better.”
“I am very happy that I can win here for the second time. It is also great for the new sponsor that we can immediately take that first victory with us.”
