Sven Nys had a great chance to take a 10th win in the Koppenbergcross when he hit the finishing straight alongside Wout Van Aert. However, he was blocked by Jan Denuwelaere who was about to start his final lap, and had to settle for second.

For a long time, Sven Nys seemed to do the perfect race and was in contention for a 10th win in the Koppenbergcross. However, a messy finale put an end to his hopes.

"I would have liked to have done the sprint under normal circumstances," he told Het Nieuwsblad. "I planned to hit the finishing stright in the second position which would have allowed me to do the perfect sprint. I took the turn in the outer position but suddenly Jan Denuwelaere was there and he made a move which made me lose Wout's wheel.

Does Nys blame Denuwelaere for his defeat.

"It is mainly a fault by the judges who should have taken Denuwelaere out of the race. As that didn't happen, Jan of course continued to ride... What a missed opportunity. I did the perfect race and launched my attack at the perfect time.

"Of course this takes nothing away from Wout Van Aert's beautiful victory who rode really great at such a young age. I would have liked to sprint against him under normal cicumstances but that didn't happen. It is too bad that it has to end like this."