Mathieu Warnier, Media365, published on Sunday January 5, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Following his success in Gullegem, Wout Van Aert left it to no one to win on the muddy Dendermonde circuit as part of the Cyclo-cross World Cup.
The days follow one another and are the same for Wout Van Aert. This Saturday, the rider from the Visma-Lease a Bike team unlocked his victory counter this winter in cyclo-cross in Gullegem. A success which called for others and the Belgian did not wait more than 24 hours to do it again. Indeed, “WVA” took advantage of the World Cup stage organized this Sunday in Dendermonde to seek solo victory. On a circuit made muddy by the weather conditions, the native of Herentals took the example of his rival Mathieu van der Poel with overwhelming success. He first had to deal with a poor position on the starting grid but, in perfect conditions for him, Wout Van Aert very quickly erased his delay before breaking away. At first, Emiel Verstrynge tried to follow the pace set by the rider of the Visma-Lease a Bike team but it did not last very long. From the third lap of the circuit, the Belgian found himself alone in control and continued to add to the score. At the finish line, Wout Van Aert won with more than a minute ahead of Emiel Verstrynge when Joran Wyseure completed the podium 21 seconds later.
Van Aert: “A boost of confidence”
On the Tricolore side, Joshua Dubau took 14th place almost four minutes behind the winner. Shortly after crossing the finish line covered in mud, Wout Van Aert assured that “this is the kind of race that we remember”. “These two victories in quick succession are very important for me,” he added. To be honest, I’m ahead of schedule. It’s really a confidence boost to be able to continue working towards the road season. » Having wanted to test himself during this intense weekend, the Belgian said he was “very happy” with his results and enjoyed it. “This course is very far from what road cycling is. Gullegem yesterday (Saturday) and especially the explosive cross at Loenhout last week are better indicators, he said. But there is also the fun factor. These were the days that made me want to become a crossman when I was younger. » He still has two races left, in Benidorm then in Maasmechelen at the end of January, to confirm his good intentions before turning to the road season.
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