Sven Nys won the Duinencross in Koksijde after a breathtaking duel with Wout Van Aert. It is his 50th victory in a World Cup race. "It is a high light in my career," said the overjoyed winner.

Sven Nys could not hide his pleasure after the victory in Koksijde. "It's a good feeling to beat the best in the world. In a hard, technical and windswept coursem I could win my second race in a row. I am very happy, it is actually incomprehensible," he told Het Nieuwsblad.

Yesterday the cannibal won in Hasselt. "Van der Haar and Van Aert didn't ride on Saturday and and were fresher at the start. To enjoy the spectators and beat the best in the world at my age makes me speechless. It is a highlight in my career.

"It's Incredible to have that experience and the adrenaline when you battle with the best cyclo-cross rider in the world.

"I'm always better on the second day of the weekend. But my competitors who are now on the podium didn't ride yesterday. It was a tough race. A cold, muddy, technical course. I made it purely on strength in the end.

"And now that I'm here for another win, against two such classy riders, is incredible. I have no words for it.

"My season is already successful. I am incredibly happy. And I am very happy that I could win because if you see how strong Mathieu van der Poel came back, then I had to seize my chance now and that's what I did."