CYCLO-CROSS WORLD CUP 2024-2025 – Wout Van Aert (Visma Lease a Bike) dominated the Dendermonde race, during the eighth round of the World Cup.
The day after his first cyclocross triumph at Gullegem during the Superprestige, Wout Van Aert took part in his second race of the weekend in Dendermonde. The runner of the Visma Lease a Bike was the big favorite since he has already won this race twice in 2021 and 2021. In addition, Mathieu van der Poel withdrew due to rib pain. The European champion Thibau Nys, Toon Aerts, That is, Iserbyt and last year’s winner Pim Ronhaar were therefore his main rivals on a very muddy course due to heavy showers.
The circuit offered a nice hill to climb in several places as well as a paved strip to cross. Other difficulties arose on this circuit with a sandpit of sea sand, slightly downhill, a long bridge of sixty meters, whoops and a staircase of thirty steps. In the general classification of the World Cup, Michael Vanthourenhout had a nice lead of 35 points over Toon Aerts, at the start of the race in this eighth round.
Van Aert with patience
First of all, Aerts, Verstrynge et Clocks got the best start. The Belgian champion That is, Iserbyt experienced difficulties with his light weight on this very greasy terrain, from the first laps. Left cautiously on the fourth line, Van Aert gradually overtook many runners while Pim Ronhaar quickly took orders in front Toon Aerts et Emiel Verstrynge.
Ensuite, Thibau Nys experienced a puncture at the start of the second lap, while Van Aert joined the leading trio. Verstrynge and Van Aert picked up the pace in the second half of the circuit, digging a small hole with Ron Haar et Aerts. Around tenth position, Izerbyt brought a group with his teammate Vanthouren wood.
In the third round, Wout Van Aert passed the whoops by bike, at the same time digging a hole of around thirty seconds on Verstrynge. Van Aert was impressive in the long stretches of running. For the fight for the podium, Aerts made a little difference on Ron Haar while Vanthouren wood moved up to seventh place.
-
Subsequently, the gap between Van Aert et Verstrynge increased to 48 seconds. Clocksfor its part, saw the Kuhn-Vanthourenhout duo get closer, at the end of the first five laps. The unfortunate British Cameron Mason has already punctured three times in the first half of the race.
Wout Van Aert without rival
In the sixth round, Wout Van Aert fell into a rut, just after coming off the bridge. But the Belgian quickly left. Hulst’s World Cup winner, Niels Vandeputtewas very far behind in twentieth position, the fault of back pain.
Then, Clocks managed to come back and outdistance Aerts while Vanthouren wood let go Kuhn. The latter suffered in the sixth round. After leaving very strong, Ron Haar suffered the blow and was joined by Nys which fell shortly after. Michael Vanthourenhout has stuck to its runner-up in the World Cup Aertsduring the seventh and penultimate round.
Afterwards, Wout Van Aert attacked the eighth and final round with 1 minute 20 on Verstryngeand 1 minute 47 on Clocks. Eventually, Van Aert signed his second success of the weekend and the first in the World Cup this season, with 1:20 on Emiel Verstrynge and 1:47 on Joran Wyseure. In the fight for the World Cup, Toon Aerts took fourth place 1:52 ahead Michael Vanthourenhout5th at 2:24. Aerts took a point back Vanthouren wood in the operation.
