Mathieu van der Poel wins Brussels Universities Cyclocross

Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) won the Brussels Universities Cyclocross on Sunday. The world champion soloed to victory ahead of a trio who battled for second place with Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) taking second, Corne van Kessel (Telenet Baloise Lions) in third, and Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen–Bingoal) in fourth.

Iserbyt leads the DVV Verzekeringen Trofee series with just one race to go at the Krawatencross in Lille, France, held on February 8.

Some of the favourites such as Toon Aerts, Laurens Sweeck, Wout van Aert and Quinten Hermans sat out this round of the series in favour of resting ahead of the Belgian Championships next weekend.

Vanthourenhout had a strong start and led the opening lap, closely followed by Van der Poel and Van Kessel. By the third lap, Iserbyt and Tim Merlier moved through the field and caught up to the chase group.

Van der Poel made his winning attack midway through the eight-lap race and built his lead out to 30 seconds as he crossed the line with the victory. 

Iserbyt, Van Kessel and Vanthourenhout locked into a battle for second place through the final lap. Iserbyt crossed the finish line 30 seconds after Van der Poel and claimed second place. Van Kessel finished eight seconds later in third place and Vanthourenhout finished an additional four seconds back in fourth.