Gerben Kuypers conquers mud in Essen at Exact Cross

Gerben Kuypers (Proximus-Alpha Motorhomes-Doltcini) dominated the fourth round of the Exact Cross in Essen and took a solo victory in the province of Antwerp at Robotland on a cold Saturday.

It was Kuypers’ fifth victory of the year, the first elite win outside the Coupe de France series.

Jens Adams (Hollebeekhoeve Cycling Team) took second while Emiel Verstrynge (Crelan-Fristads), the European U23 champion, held on for third. Victor van de Putte (Deschacht-Hens-Maes) just missed the podium, finishing one second back of Verstrynge.

“I didn't expect to win here. But the game went exactly as I hoped," the 22-year-old winner told media after the race.

Since the women’s race earlier on Saturday, deeper roots and ruts were carved on the muddy course but the pace was still swift. Kuypers dashed to the lead at the start with Verstrynge on his back wheel. Adams had work to do straightaway, pushing from seventh place.

By the third of 10 laps, there were four riders who settled at the front, Kuypers and Verstrynge pushing the pace with Clément Horny (BH-Wallonie MTB) and Adams. One circuit later, a hesitation in the mud by Horny caused Adams to crash. This allowed Kuypers and Verstrynge to surge ahead and create a gap.

As the fifth lap began, Kuypers moved smoothly at the front through the woods while Verstrynge began to fade, needing a bike change because of a flat tyre. Kuypers then went into time-trial mode and rode solo for the remaining circuits.

Adams then broke free of Verstrynge and Alpecin-Deceuninck duo of Jente Michels and Van de Putte to make the contest interesting with two and half laps to go, closing to within 21 seconds to Kuypers. 

The big names from the past two years, including 2021 winner Wout Van Aert and 2020 winner Mathieu van der Poel, skipped Essen to travel to Ireland for Sunday’s World Cup contest. Adams will be one of the top riders from Essen to pack his bike and travel to Dublin for a weekend doubleheader.

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