Mathieu van der Poel (Beobank-Corendon) continued his domination of the European 'cross circuit, taking out his 12th victory of the season in the Koppenbergcross. While his previous wins have been near start-to-finish solo attacks, this time the Dutchman was pushed to his limits by runner-up Toon Aerts (Telenet-Fidea) and third-placed Lars van der Haar.
Van der Poel attacked early in the race, but had repeated issues with his pedals, and was caught by Aerts, Van der Haar and world champion Wout Van Aert (Crelan-Charles). The quartet had a stalemate until Van der Haar made a move mid-race.
Van Aert buried himself to bring the Telenet-Fidea rider back, but then struggled on the cobbled ascent of the Koppenberg and was distanced from the others.
Van der Poel bided his time, only making his move in the last half lap, distancing the scrappy European champion, but the effort cost him and the Dutch champion collapsed after the finish line and still struggled to catch his breath in the post-race interview.
Full Results
| # | Rider Name (Country) Team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) Beobank-Corendon | 1:07:49 |
| 2 | Toon Aerts (Bel) Telenet Fidea Lions | 0:00:12 |
| 3 | Lars van der Haar (Ned) Telenet Fidea Lions | 0:00:24 |
| 4 | Wout Van Aert (Bel) Crelan - Charles | 0:01:14 |
| 5 | Kevin Pauwels (Bel) Marlux - Napoleon Games Cycling Team | 0:01:29 |
| 6 | Jens Adams (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Vastgoedservice | 0:01:30 |
| 7 | Corne van Kessel (Ned) Telenet Fidea Lions | 0:01:36 |
| 8 | Michael Vanthourenhout (Bel) Marlux - Napoleon Games Cycling Team | 0:01:42 |
| 9 | Klaas Vantornout (Bel) Marlux - Napoleon Games Cycling Team | 0:01:49 |
| 10 | Laurens Sweeck (Bel) Era Real Estate - Circus | 0:01:50 |
| 11 | Michael Boros (Cze) Pauwels Sauzen - Vastgoedservice | Row 10 - Cell 2 |
| 12 | Daan Soete (Bel) Telenet Fidea Lions | 0:01:54 |
| 13 | Tom Meeusen (Bel) Beobank-Corendon | 0:02:38 |
| 14 | Tim Merlier (Bel) Crelan - Charles | 0:03:27 |
| 15 | Ian Field (GBr) Hargroves Cycles Race Team | 0:03:37 |
| 16 | Jonas Degroote (Bel) Team Mahieu - Kona - Vandermeeren | 0:03:57 |
| 17 | Joeri Adams (Bel) Kalas - H.Essers Cycling Team | 0:04:03 |
| 18 | Gianni Vermeersch (Bel) Steylaerts-Betfirst | 0:04:17 |
| 19 | Gosse van der Meer (Ned) Tarteletto Isorex | 0:04:42 |
| 20 | Wietse Bosmans (Bel) Era Real Estate - Circus | 0:05:14 |
| 21 | Philipp Walsleben (Ger) Beobank Coredon | 0:05:50 |
| 22 | Jim Aernouts (Bel) Telenet Fidea Lions | 0:06:06 |
| 23 | Nicolas Pruvost (Fra) Eseg Douai | 0:06:43 |
| 24 | Julien Kaise (Bel) T.Palm - Pôle Continental Wallon | Row 23 - Cell 2 |
| 25 | Andrew Juiliano (USA) Grit World Racing p/b Shimano | Row 24 - Cell 2 |
| 26 | Jelle De Bock (Bel) Arrow Cycling Team | Row 25 - Cell 2 |
| 27 | Pascal Colaert (Bel) Dovy Keukens - FCC | Row 26 - Cell 2 |
| 28 | Yu Takenouchi (Jpn) Toyoframe | Row 27 - Cell 2 |
| 29 | Michael Butler (GBr) Hargroves Cycles Ridley RT | Row 28 - Cell 2 |
| 30 | Alexander Forrester (GBr) Www.Zepnat.com - Lazer Helmets | Row 29 - Cell 2 |
| 31 | Felix Fuentes Sanchez (Spa) Stecchino MTB Club | Row 30 - Cell 2 |
| 32 | Manuel Martin Jimenez (Spa) Stecchino MTB Club | Row 31 - Cell 2 |
| DNF | Vincent Baestaens (Bel) VZW Koninklijke Stoempersclub | Row 32 - Cell 2 |
| DNF | Dieter Vanthourenhout (Bel) Marlux - Napoleon Games Cycling Team | Row 33 - Cell 2 |
| DNF | Rob Peeters (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Vastgoedservice | Row 34 - Cell 2 |
| DNF | Diether Sweeck (Bel) Era Real Estate - Circus | Row 35 - Cell 2 |
| DNF | Jens Vandekinderen (Bel) Kalas - H.Essers Cycling Team | Row 36 - Cell 2 |
| DNF | Dario Tielen (Bel) | Row 37 - Cell 2 |
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