On Sunday morning Eli Iserbyt captured the first golden medal for Belgium at their World championships. Last year Iserbyt fell just short on winning the world title in the Junior Men category in Tábor, Czech Republic. One year later the 18 year-old Belgian rider dominated the whole season in the Men U23 category. Iserbyt won the World Cup and on Sunday morning Iserbyt won a hard-fought World championships race on the muddy home soil in Heusden-Zolder.

One lap before the end of a rain-soaked race there was major consternation when Adam Toupalik (Czech Republic) thought he was the new World champion. The Czech gapped Gioele Bertolini (Italy) and Belgian riders Iserbyt and Quinten Hermans shortly before the end of the lap. Toupalik then raised his arms to celebrate, not paying attention to the ringing bell for the last lap. The Czech realized his mistake and tried to close the gap on the three leaders.

Bertolini crashed away in front and he was passed by Toupalik who quickly bridged back up with European champion Hermans and Iserbyt. Toupalik hammered forward towards the finishing straight and only Iserbyt was glued on his wheel. Iserbyt timed his sprint to perfection and easily beat Toupalik. Hermans joined his compatriot on the podium, starting what turned out to be a long Belgian party on Sunday.