After a crash in the Superprestige de Boom, giving victory to the British Tom Pidcok, Van Der Poel has returned to the Antwerp cyclocross world cup in style, taking victory on a circuit marked by cold and sandy terrain .
The missing Belgian superstar, Wout Van Aert, made his winter debut at home, with a gruesome start on the first lap, though he ended up paying for small mistakes and had to settle for silver, after spending the race chasing a Van Der Poel indisputable who was scratching second at each lap.
With a career start similar to the biggest wildebeest stampedes on the sheet, a scenario that requires very technical handling, the British runner was not fine and had more than one and two mishaps, landing more than desired and losing seconds and positions, finishing the first lap in position number 30, being unable to climb to the podium.
The duel focused on the two classicists, Van Aert and Van der Poel, who had the greatest pace, perseverance and the most technical driving. Still, the Dutchman was intractable, showing incredible strength pedaling on beach sand and Van Aert was helpless, ultimately finishing second 31 seconds behind MDVP. They were followed by the Belgians Vanthorenhout and Sweeck, third and fourth with 47 and 53 seconds, who are also having a good role in this 2023 cyclocross world championship.
