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Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) claimed his fifth profession victory within the Heusden-Zolder spherical of the Superprestige, using away from Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) on the ultimate lap.
Joris Nieuwenhuis (Baloise Trek) stuffed out the rostrum.
“It was one other stunning race. I’m blissful to have gained right here once more,” Van Aert mentioned. “I wished to construct up the race slowly immediately and did not thoughts using collectively for a bit longer. I have been build up my stamina over the previous few cyclocross races, and I knew that the final fifteen minutes had been typically in my favour. So, I’m blissful that I used to be in a position to make a distinction right here.”
After three straight losses to Mathieu van der Poel, Van Aert will shut out 2023 with one other head-to-head with the world champion on the World Cup in Hulst.
“It is a good circuit, and I am trying ahead to racing there. It’s an intense course with numerous steep climbs. I will attempt to get better for 2 days now in order that I can tackle Pidcock and Van der Poel on Saturday.”
Damp situations packed the sand down and the shortage of deep mud on the course led to a really quick Superprestige spherical in Heusden-Zolder.
Within the absence of Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), who took a break day after dominating the World Cup in Gavere, Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) was the highest favorite.
Kevin Kuhn (Circus-Reuz-Technord) rocketed off the beginning line to say the holeshot, drawing out under-23 rider Tibor del Grosso (Alpecin-Deceuninck), however quickly the large names got here to the fore with Joris Nieuwenhuis (Baloise Trek) taking on halfway into the opening lap.
Van Aert began in a extra relaxed trend, holding sixth behind the 2 leaders, Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal), Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Kuhn in a 13-rider main group heading early in lap 2.
Van Aert led the decreased group into lap 3 with Ward Huybs (Baloise Trek), Iserbyt, Vandeputte, Nieuwenhuis and Del Grosso the one riders holding his tempo.
Del Grosso put in a surprisingly assured experience, pushing the tempo on the fourth lap and forcing Iserbyt and Van Aert to chase.
By the top of the fourth lap, it was Iserbyt pushing the tempo and Van Aert discovered himself caught behind Joran Wyseure (Crelan-Corendon) and 4 seconds again, however quickly the seven main riders got here again collectively.
Van Aert lastly got here to the fore on lap 5 after a mistake from Iserbyt, drawing out Del Grosso and opening a niche however he did not appear able to push the tempo.
He got here to the road in the beginning of lap six with 4 companions – Vandeputte, Iserbyt, Nieuwenhuis, and Del Grosso however the ease in tempo allowed Wyseure and Huybs to rejoin.
Van Aert lastly put the pedal to the metallic heading into the penultimate lap and, regardless of a dab, bought away with Iserbyt scrambling throughout, leaving the remainder of the group six seconds down.
Iserbyt tried to match the Jumbo-Visma rider however on the ultimate lap, he needed to relent, leaving Van Aert to solo to the victory.
Outcomes
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