In one of the most gripping CX clashes of the season, Belgian veteran Laurens Sweeck and young Dutchman Tibor del Grosso fought tooth and nail in the sand at the Vlaamse Duinencross, the sixth round of the 2024-2025 X2O Badkamers Trofee. Friday in Koksijde, Belgium. Sweeck’s experience won out and the Belgian added an X20 round to his three Superprestige triumphs this season. Series leader Eli Iserbyt lost 48 seconds to Toon Aerts. Gunnar Holmgren was the best Canadian in 26th place.
Earlier in the day, Canadian Ian Ackert placed seventh in the under-23 category.
Foreplay
After his victory in Baal, Iserbyt’s small lead over Lars van der Haar grew to 3:36 over Aerts. In addition to the two laps recorded by Iserbyt, Thibau Nys, Niels Vandeputte and the absent Michael Vanthourenhout could all win one. Mathieu van der Poel was still recovering from an injured rib.
Cody Scott, Gunnar Holmgren and Fabian Merino were the Canadian candidates.
U23 world champion Del Grosso fought his way into the hole by shooting Tour 1. A huge crash in the first corner delayed Vandeputte and Iserbyt a bit. Sweeck held on to Del Grosso and the two grunted through the endless sand before crossing the line with Pim Ronhaar, Aerts and a few others 19 seconds behind. Holmgren was 30th in a group with Vandeputte.
Sweeck and del Grosso clashed in front second circuitas Ronhaar lit up after them. Joran Wyseure, Aerts and Toon Vandebosch made up the next chase group.
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Ronhaar stayed on the sidelines Round 3 of 8. Sweeck continued to push towards the end of the race, testing Del Grosso. Aerts then reduced Iserbyt’s lead by 30 seconds.
On 30 December, del Grosso placed fourth behind Sweeck in the Diegem night race of the Superprestige series. On Friday, del Grosso dug a breach during Tour 4 before the veteran catches up.
Ronhaar returned home from the start Tour 4. Sweeck turned the tables on del Grosso, taking away four seconds, which del Grosso reduced to two at the line. Aerts and Wyseure began their fight on the podium, with Ronhaar fearing they would disappear on him.
Once again the elastic stretched Tour 5 and once again, Del Grosso bounced back. Aerts was free to fly to the podium.
The penultimate lap That’s where Sweeck rushed. Del Grosso hooking a pedal ensured his aspirations were thwarted. Second place remains his best performance of the season.
The next round will take place on February 9 in Lille.
X2O Bathrooms Trophy Round 6, Coxyde
1) Laurens Sweeck (Belgique/Crelan-Coredon) 1:02:11
2) Tibor del Grosso (Pays-Bas/Alpecin-Deceuninck) +0:26
3) Toon Aerts (Belgique/Deschacht-Hens-FSP) +0:52
26) Gunnar Holmgren (Canada)
31) Cody Scott (Canada)
DNF) Fabian Merino (Canada)
