Vanthourenhout and Alvarado fight for World Cup victory in Namur

Michael Vanthourenhout has won the fourth round of the World Cup after a crazy race. Toon Aerts seemed to be on his way to a first victory since his return, until a fall threw a spanner in the works. In the women’s race, Ceylin Alvarado held off Lucinda Brand after an exciting final round.

Toon Aerts was allowed to start from the front row, something he appreciates after his poor starting positions in other races this season. Aerts took the holeshot and led the field until the start of the second lap with Kuypers, Kuhn, Sweeck and Verstrynge with him.

Michael Vanthourenhout missed his start and faced a race to catch up from outside the top ten. Thibau Nys also ended up at the back. Partly due to a flat tire, he would never appear at the top of the race again.

While his teammate Eli Iserbyt continued to sink further and had to give up in the third round with pain in his left buttock (radiating nerve pain), a strong Michael Vanthourenhout appeared at the front for the first time in the third round.

Sour for Aerts

After a slip, Michael Vanthourenhout had to close a gap on Emiel Verstrynghe and he came back. The West Flemish from Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal clearly has excellent form with which he can correct mistakes.

At the start of the penultimate lap, Toon Aerts was five seconds behind the leading duo. Aerts closed the gap and we got a final with three leaders.

In the last lap, Toon Aerts unleashed his devils on the climb at the beginning of the course. But Aerts lost his lead in the absolute end on the diagonal, where he somersaulted. Michael Vanthourenhout took advantage, took the lead and won.

Among the women, Ceylin Alvarado was able to start the final lap with a lead of 22 seconds over Brand. The Dutchman seemed to be able to drive to victory unthreatened. Seemed like it, because after the last diagonal edge Brand suddenly came awfully close. But in the end, Alvarado was just able to hold off her compatriot.

With Brand in second and Puck Pieterse in third, we got the same podium as last year in Namur. World champion Fem van Empel, who had to deal with equipment failure, ultimately finished a creditable seventh. Best Belgian was Laura Verdonschot with thirteenth place.