Mathieu Van der Poel dominates in Superprestige Hoogstraten

Mathieu van der Poel (Corendon-Circus) took another dominant win at the seventh round of the Superprestige Trophy at Hoogstraten, his fifth in the series and 28th of the season. Laurens Sweeck (Era-Circus) finished second, 22 seconds back, while David van der Poel (Corendon-Circus) sprinted to third, at 30 seconds.

The result means that Van der Poel has mathematically won the Superprestige Trophy for the third time, his 100 points leading Wout Van Aert (Veranda's Willems-Crelan) by four with one race remaining and Van Aert not participating. Sweeck moves up to third place on 76 points.

Today's race caps a dominant season for the Dutchman, who became European and Dutch champion, as well as winning the two other major competitions in cyclocross - the DVV Trofee and UCI World Cup.

A fast start saw Michael Vanthourenhout (Marlux-Napoleon Games) take off at the front as the big two of van der Poel and the newly-crowned triple world champion Van Aert - riding his final race of the season - lingered further back in the pack.

Vanthourenhout didn't last too long out front though, as the two rivals came to the front of the chase group in the wet mud at the end of the lap to close down the lead. Rather than simply ride away as we have seen so many times before, the pair continued on as part of a 7-10 man lead group.

On the third lap, van der Poel made his move at the end of the lap in the thick wet mud, taking his brother David and Van Aert with him.

The 23-year-old didn't stick around though, pushing on alone on lap four. At the end of the lap, his lead was 22 seconds, and that was that. A chase group of around eight riders including Van Aert formed, ensuring some action as they squabbled over the podium spots for the remainder of the race.

Tim Merlier (Veranda's Willems-Crelan) and Vanthourenhout both enjoyed lengthy excursions off the front of the chase group, but no moves would stick until Sweeck went for it on the penultimate lap of the race.

Up front, van der Poel, who enjoyed a 51-second lead at one point, casually rode to victory as Sweeck held off the chasers behind. Vanthourenhout just lost out on third in the sprint, while Van Aert ended up sixth.

Full Results

Swipe to scroll horizontally
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Mathieu Van Der Poel (Ned) Corendon - Circus0:59:33
2Laurens Sweeck (Bel) ERA-Circus0:00:22
3David Van Der Poel (Ned) Corendon - Circus0:00:30
4Michael Vanthourenhout (Bel) Marlux - BingoalRow 3 - Cell 2
5Tim Merlier (Bel) Crelan - Charles0:00:32
6Wout Van Aert (Bel) Crelan - Charles0:00:36
7Toon Aerts (Bel) Telenet Fidea Lions0:00:39
8Gianni Vermeersch (Bel) Steylaerts - Betfirst0:00:41
9Tom Meeusen (Bel) Corendon - Circus0:00:47
10Wietse Bosmans (Bel) ERA-Circus0:01:04
11Lars Van Der Haar (Ned) Telenet Fidea Lions0:01:48
12Jens Adams (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen - Vastgoedservice0:01:55
13Quinten Hermans (Bel) Telenet Fidea Lions0:02:01
14Nicolas Cleppe (Bel) Telenet Fidea LionsRow 13 - Cell 2
15Corne Van Kessel (Ned) Telenet Fidea Lions0:02:11
16Kevin Pauwels (Bel) Marlux - Bingoal0:02:21
17Dieter Vanthourenhout (Bel) Marlux - Bingoal0:02:28
18Jim Aernouts (Bel) Telenet Fidea Lions0:02:35
19Gioele Bertolini (Ita)0:02:59
20Daan Soete (Bel) Telenet Fidea Lions0:03:09
21Felipe Orts Lloret (Spa) Ginestar - Delikia0:03:19
22Michael Boroš (Cze) Pauwels Sauzen - Vastgoedservice0:03:28
23Vincent Baestaens (Bel)0:03:34
24Joeri Adams (Bel)0:03:36
25Marcel Meisen (Ger) Steylaerts - Betfirst0:04:04
26Rob Peeters (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen - Vastgoedservice0:04:13
27Javier Ruiz De Larrinaga Ibañez (Spa)0:04:50
28Braam Merlier (Bel) Steylaerts - Betfirst0:04:56
29Kenneth Van Compernolle (Bel) Tarteletto - Isorex0:05:24
30Ismael Esteban Aguero (Spa) Ginestar - DelikiaRow 29 - Cell 2
31Patrick Van Leeuwen (Ned)Row 30 - Cell 2
32Stan Godrie (Ned) Crelan - CharlesRow 31 - Cell 2
33Michael Van Den Ham (Can) Garneau-Easton p/b Transitions LifecareRow 32 - Cell 2
34Thijs Van Amerongen (Ned)Row 33 - Cell 2
35Tobin Ortenblad (USA)Row 34 - Cell 2
36Jens Gys (Bel)Row 35 - Cell 2
37Kerry Werner (USA)Row 36 - Cell 2
38Eric Thompson (USA)Row 37 - Cell 2
39Jonas Degroote (Bel)Row 38 - Cell 2
40Niels Koyen (Bel)Row 39 - Cell 2
41Mark McConnell (Can)Row 40 - Cell 2
42Tyler Cloutier (USA)Row 41 - Cell 2
43Vincent Oger (Bel)Row 42 - Cell 2
DNFDiether Sweeck (Bel)Row 43 - Cell 2
DNFNicolas Pruvot (Fra)Row 44 - Cell 2

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Senior news writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Prior to joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly, Rouleur, and CyclingTips.

 

Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France and the spring Classics, and has interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Wout van Aert, Remco Evenepoel, Demi Vollering, and Anna van der Breggen.

 

As well as original reporting, news and feature writing, and production work, Dani also oversees The Leadout newsletter and How to Watch guides throughout the season. Their favourite races are Strade Bianche and the Volta a Portugal.

Latest on Cyclingnews