Mathieu van der Poel took his eleventh victory of the winter with another dominant ride at the Flandriencross race in Hamme, Belgium, on Sunday, leading the race from start to finish.
The European champion travelled to Belgium overnight after winning the Tabor World Cup race in the Czech Republic on Saturday but looked as strong and fast as ever.
He was first into the dirt section after the fast start and already had a gap after half a lap. Only his Corendon-Circus teammate Tom Meeusen was able to stay with him and bravely hung on to his wheel for a fast 45 minutes of racing.
Meeusen eventually cracked as Van der Poel blasted away to victory, and his rivals were left fighting for the podium places, but hung on for a well-deserved second place. Diether Sweeck (Pauwels Sauzen-Vastgoedservice) won the sprint for third place but was 1:50 down on Van der Poel.
World champion Wout van Aert was not in action after preferring not to rush back to Belgium from Tabor. That did not stop the debate about Van Aert's season and if he can ever beat Van der Poel.
Results
| # | Rider Name (Country) Team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mathieu Van Der Poel (Ned) Corendon - Circus | 0:58:57 |
| 2 | Tom Meeusen (Bel) Corendon - Circus | 0:00:44 |
| 3 | Laurens Sweeck (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen - Vastgoedservice | 0:01:50 |
| 4 | Gianni Vermeersch (Bel) Steylaerts - 777 | Row 3 - Cell 2 |
| 5 | Michael Vanthourenhout (Bel) Marlux - Bingoal | Row 4 - Cell 2 |
| 6 | Joris Nieuwenhuis (Ned) | 0:01:52 |
| 7 | Corne Van Kessel (Ned) Telenet Fidea Lions | 0:01:53 |
| 8 | Toon Aerts (Bel) Telenet Fidea Lions | 0:02:01 |
| 9 | Lars Van Der Haar (Ned) Telenet Fidea Lions | 0:02:02 |
| 10 | Jens Adams (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen - Vastgoedservice | 0:02:06 |
| 11 | Thomas Pidcock (GBr) Tp Racing | 0:02:10 |
| 12 | Jim Aernouts (Bel) Telenet Fidea Lions | 0:02:41 |
| 13 | Kevin Pauwels (Bel) Marlux - Bingoal | 0:02:51 |
| 14 | Dieter Vanthourenhout (Bel) Marlux - Bingoal | 0:03:14 |
| 15 | Tim Merlier (Bel) Crelan - Charles | 0:03:15 |
| 16 | Thijs Aerts (Bel) Telenet Fidea Lions | 0:04:48 |
| 17 | Stan Godrie (Ned) Crelan - Charles | Row 16 - Cell 2 |
| 18 | Joshua Dubau (Fra) | 0:04:49 |
| 19 | Lucas Dubau (Fra) | 0:05:12 |
| 20 | Dario Tielen (Bel) | 0:05:20 |
| 21 | Thomas Joseph (Bel) Marlux - Bingoal | 0:06:11 |
| -2 LAPS | Yelle Leaerts (Bel) | Row 21 - Cell 2 |
| -2 LAPS | Edwin De Wit (Bel) | Row 22 - Cell 2 |
| -3 LAPS | Wouter Goosen (Bel) | Row 23 - Cell 2 |
| -3 LAPS | Isaac Mundy (GBr) | Row 24 - Cell 2 |
| -3 LAPS | Niels Koyen (Bel) | Row 25 - Cell 2 |
| -5 LAPS | David Duggan (GBr) | Row 26 - Cell 2 |
| DNF | Wietse Bosmans (Bel) Steylaerts - 777 | Row 27 - Cell 2 |
-
'I want to win the Giro and make history' – Jonas Vingegaard targets Grand Tour trilogy at Giro d'Italia
'The Giro is more unpredictable. You've got to be ready for anything every day' says Dane -
'Not the gravel of old' – Safety, rules and fairness talk flares in aftermath of The Traka
Varying takes from riders including Romain Bardet, Nicole Frain and Lachlan Morton as competitors reflect on changing face of the race and sport -
Daxton Mock and Cécile Lejeune snare Belgian Waffle Ride California wins
Courtney Sherwell hold off chase to take second place in elite women's race while Lance Haidet and Matthew Wilson clinch second and third in men's race -
Who could be the Isaac del Toro of this year's Giro d'Italia? There's one GC frontrunner, but there's plenty of chances for surprises too – Analysis
Behind Jonas Vingegaard, the wide open GC could see some unexpected riders in the battle for pink this May
