Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) conquered a wet and sandy course in Mol to win Zilvermeercross on Friday evening. He saved his fastest lap times for the final two circuits to outdistance Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) by 56 seconds.
It was another classic battle between Van Aert and Van der Poel in a head-to-head battle, with the Jumbo-Visma rider returning to the fray after a road camp. Van Aert, in just his third ‘cross start, had scored the World Cup win in Dublin two weeks ago while Van der Poel made his fifth start, including a pair of World Cup wins.
"I didn't expect to win here," Van Aert said afterwards. "Maybe that makes this victory all the more sweet.
"The first part was mostly about probing and identifying good and bad lines. The second part went a lot better, and I created a gap. I can only be satisfied with today.
"It's a good start to a hectic period. As a young child, I rode championships here. It's a beautiful course in my home region. I have a lot of great memories here. That makes this win even more brilliant."
The men’s field was strung out after the first of nine laps, the favourites at the front on a mild day with rain falling in Mol for evening races. Two circuits later, attrition led to five riders stealing the show. Van Aert took a fall in the sand before the third lap was completed, but did not lose sight of Van der Poel, Hermans close behind. Then Pidcock and Sweeck had to dismount and run in the same section, losing ground.
With three laps to go, Van Aert and Van der Poel created separation with Hermans and the two matched efforts. But with two to go, Van Aert gained his advantage in the sand.
It was the fourth time Van Aert found the top step of the podium at Zilvermeercross, winning last time out in the 2020-2021 season. That outing he took victory in the sand and snow in a battle against Laurens Sweeck, as Van der Poel and other big name riders were absent in the race, held in early January. Zilvermeercross was not held last season.
Results powered by FirstCycling
-
'Getting the band back together' - Justin Williams restores L39ION of Los Angeles as Continental squad with Cory Williams, Tyler Williams
Handful of riders from Blazers team move to L39ION for 2026, with women continuing as US domestic elite programme -
'Not fit enough to compete' - Ongoing illness sidelines Fem van Empel from Cyclocross European Championships title defense
World Champion opts for training camp in Spain -
'I know I didn't intend to cheat' – Lenny Martinez looks back on controversial Tour de France sticky bottle which drew criticism from fans and former pros
French rider says he's 'at peace' with infamous moment during second Tour appearance, which saw him fined and the subject of backlash from Thibaut Pinot -
Wout van Aert mixes motorsports and community bike ride on first trip to California
'It feels pretty weird to have a fan base here as well' says 10-time Tour de France stage winner about popularity in the US
