The Dutchman Mathieu Van der Poel took victory this Monday in the eleventh round of the Cyclocross World Cup, held in the Belgian town of Gavere, and did so ahead of the local Wout Van Aert and the British Thomas Pidcock.
The three riders, the main favorites for the win, were alternately dominating and came together in the fifth of the six laps. It was at that moment that the winner broke the heads-up and left his rivals without the ability to react. The first to give in was Pidcock, current world champion; and later Van Aert did it, who moved around fifteen seconds behind until the decisive section.
Finally Van der Poel, 27 years old and four times world champion, completed the course in 57:14 minutes to seal his third victory of the season in four events held after winning earlier in Hulst and Antwerp. The Belgian finished second in 57.41 and the British, third in 58.08.
The general classification of the World Cup is still led by the Belgian Laurens Sweeck, who finished sixth and remains with 308 points. Second is his compatriot Michael Vanthourenhout, who hoards 287 and cuts two by finishing fourth.
Eli Iserbyt, also from Belgium, was further distanced from them, but was unable to start this time and has 249 points. The next test will take place on January 8 in Zonhoven (Belgium).
