Two days after finishing third in the GP Sven Nys in Baal, Toon Aerts confirmed that he is a future cyclo-cross star in the making when he rode to a solo win in the cyclo-cross race in Leuven. The young Belgian spent almost the entire race in a solo move and not even a late crash could prevent him from claiming the win. Tom Meeusen made it a 1-2 for Telenet-Fidea and Vincent Baestaens completed the podium while pre-race favourite Sven Nys could only manage sixth.
 

We have gathered a few reactions from the race below. You can find the words of winner Aerts here.

Sven Nys (6th)

Sven Nys had to settle for sixth place at the Soudal Classics race in Leuven, almost two minutes behind Toon Aerts. "I never got my engine going today," said Nys.

"My legs just were not good today," Nys admitted in an interview with Het Nieuwsblad. "I've just been trying to bridge that gap but in vain. I never got the engine going. I also rode into another rider and it took several laps before I realized that my fork was broken. Now, well, that was not the problem: I did not have a good day."

"I had preferred a sifferent outcome but I will just try to recover well during the rest of the week," continued Nys. "Fortunately, there are seven days before we get to the Belgian Championships and I want to maintain the good feeling from Baal whereI was second. I think the tank was just a little empty after a tough holiday season. I need to rest. For the Belgian Championships, there is one favorite: Wout van Aert. Behind him, everyone is close to each other. I hope to recover well and then a podium might be possible. We'll see..."

On Saturday Nys visited the osteopath with a sore back. "Usually that's not good one day before a race. But I'd rather do it now than next week. Six races in nine days is a lot. I'm going to recharge the batteries. There's still a week to get ready for the championships."

Tom Meeusen (2nd)

"I think that we played the team game played beautifully today," Tom Meeusen told Het Nieuwsblad. "Toon rode away and we defended his attack very well. I'm happy for Toon. I would have liked to see the other top riders here but I enjoyed the race without them."

After Aerts' crash, Meeusen got to within five seconds of his teammate. Meeusen seemed to be able to close the gap, but did not. However, he refused that he did it on purpose.

"He did a very strong race," Meeusen said, denying the suggestion. "If you have been riding in front for 40 minutes, you're the best. I came close in the end because Toon maybe was a bit nervous. He is not used to ride in that position and it clearly created some stress. And then he crashed which would not have happen for a top rider who is more used to winning, in such an important situation. That victory will give Toon a  boost of confidence and that is a good thing. I'm happy for him. He can enjoy this win but he can also learn from it. Toon deserved to win, it's that simple", he added. "This victory is a good thing for the Belgian and World Championships. Two weeks ago nobody knew Toon Aerts and now many do so. He has proven in recent weeks that he is a reliable and strong rider. I'm glad that I will have a strong teammate next week at the Belgian Championships."

Vincent Baestaens (3rd)

Vincent Baestaens was third in the cyclo-cross race in Leuven, the fifth round of the Soudal Classics series. "In recent weeks I felt good, but I never got a result. I made mistakes in every race. This podium is unexpected," the rider of BKCP Corendon told Het Nieuwsblad.

Baestaens benefited from the absence of the top riders. "Leuven is not so far from my house and it's nice to deliver such a beautiful performance in front of your own people. This certainly feels good. At the Belgian Championships, I am the only Belgian professional of the team. We'll see what I can do in such a race. Last year I was sixth in Lille at the Bpost Bank Trofee. With this performance in the back pocket, I will in any case look forward to the Belgian Championships. "