In a dramatic display of grit and skill, Mathieu van der Poel triumphed at Exact Cross Mol, navigating treacherous snowy conditions to claim his eighth victory of the season, while his rival, Wout van Aert, faced a devastating crash.
World champion Mathieu van der Poel, representing Alpecin-Premier Tech, showcased his dominance at Exact Cross Mol, a race marred by heavy snowfall. Despite an early crash, he managed to secure the win. The race took a turn when Wout van Aert of Visma-Lease a Bike, crashed, ending his chances.
Van der Poel's solo breakaway early in the nine-lap race set the stage. However, a crash on lap four saw Van Aert catch up, and the two battled for two laps. The slippery conditions then caused Van Aert to crash on a paved section while following Van der Poel. He had to withdraw from the race due to a bleeding knee, adding to his string of bad luck this cyclo-cross season.
Toon Aerts of Charles Liègeois-Deschacht secured second place, with Felipe Orts of the Ridley Racing Team taking third, both struggling in the challenging conditions. The early leaders, including Van der Poel, Van Aert, Aerts, and Orts, set the pace from the first lap. Van Aert's aggressive start initially couldn't match Van der Poel's strength, who pulled away on lap three.
On the fourth lap, Van der Poel slipped on a corner, losing about 15 seconds due to the cold. Van Aert rejoined, and the pair rode together. Van Aert tried to put pressure on Van der Poel, but the champion moved ahead on the seventh lap. A wobble from Van der Poel caused Van Aert to crash, allowing the world champion to ride away. Van Aert, with a bleeding knee, withdrew from the race.
This race was a rollercoaster of events, with van der Poel ultimately achieving another solo victory.
Results provided by FirstCycling.
Matilda, a UK-based NCTJ-qualified journalist, joined Cyclingnews in March 2025. She previously worked as the Racing News Editor at GCN and as a freelancer for various publications. She has covered major cycling events and specializes in women's cycling and sports. She holds degrees in modern languages and sports journalism.
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