World champion Mathieu van der Poel had extreme bad luck in the Bpost Bank Trofee race in Essen as he suffered a mechanical while riding in a winning position.

"To have a mechanical in that position really destroyed everything," he told Het Nieuwsblad. "I struggled to handle my bike. I don't know how it suddenly happened. I felt that I hit something, looked down and saw that it was over. I don't think it was a bad option to run but again a ride that can ride... Tomorrow I will be really eager to get the win in Overijse.

"I felt really good in the beginning. I was ready to do a good final lap. I could accelerate and recovered very well. I think I can definitely be satisfied."