Already a winner in Antwerp then in Koksijde this weekend, Mathieu van der Poel extended the euphoria with a solo victory on the sand of Hofstade in front of Wout Van Aert. The Belgian confirmed progress for his second race of the winter.
The adage that says “never two without three” suits Mathieu van der Poel perfectly. Winner in Antwerp this Saturday then in Koksijde this Sunday as part of the cyclo-cross World Cup, the reigning world champion did it again this Monday at Hofstade during the fourth round of the X2O Badkamers Trofee.
The Dutchman took advantage of the opportunity to beat Wout Van Aert for a second time. A race whose start was less disheveled than usual. Indeed, Mathieu van der Poel did not shake up the peloton from the first of the nine laps on the program on a technical route with sand portions that are almost impossible to cross on the bike. Well placed, Wout Van Aert fell back in the hierarchy in the second round.
Van der Poel made them all give in
In fact, the Belgian was the victim of a fall in a hairpin for which he had chosen a wider trajectory. At the same time, “MVDP” went on the attack to isolate itself at the front of the race. Belgian champion jersey on his back, Thibau Nys gave everything to try to follow the grandson of Raymond Poulidor but the son of the former double world champion Sven Nys presumed on his strength.
A loss of lucidity in the sand on the fourth lap saw him fall and lose all hope of a good showing. Patient after his mishap, Wout Van Aert was able to come back up and then chase after Mathieu van der Poel, maintaining the gap under 20 seconds for a long time.
Van Aert making progress
However, the rider from the Visma-Lease a Bike team lost his footing in the last third of the race but without seeing his pursuers return. Despite the multiplication of efforts over three consecutive days, “MVDP” confirms that he is the boss in cyclo-cross. He won with a margin of 48 seconds over Wout Van Aert who showed very clear progress compared to his first appearance in competition.
Pushed back by more than a minute, Niels Vandeputte completed the podium in third position as he did this Sunday in Koksijde. While Mathieu van der Poel will not be present this Tuesday in Zolder for a round of the Superprestige, the next duel between Wout Van Aert and him is already scheduled for December 29 in Loenhout.
