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 with a 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 made his way into the hole by shooting Visit 1. A huge crash in the first corner delayed Vandeputte and Iserbyt a little. 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 clash in front second circuitas Ronhaar lit up after them. Joran Wyseure, Aerts and Toon Vandebosch made up the next chase group.
Ronhaar stayed away 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 made a dent during Visit 4 before the veteran catches up.
Ronhaar went home from the start Visit 4. Sweeck turned the tables on del Grosso, taking four seconds off him, which del Grosso reduced to two at the line. Aerts and Wyseure began their fight on the podium, with Ronhaar fearing he would disappear on him.
Once again the elastic has tightened Visit 5 and once again, Del Grosso bounced back. Aerts was free to take 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 Bathroom Trophy Round 6, Koksijde
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)
