Mathieu van der Poel has taken his second win of the weekend with a victory in the Flandriencross. The Dutchman proved to be stronger than the rest during the whole race and arrived solo at the finish. Wout van Aert had to be content with second place. Laurens Sweeck finished third.

Wout van Aert was desperate after Mathieu van der Poel had turned out to be the strongest in the World Cross in Zeven. The world champion was also keen on revenge on Belgian soil and started with renewed courage and as overall leader of the DVV Trofee series at the Flandriencross in Hamme. He had won the race in the last two years. "It looks good in the standings, but a lot can happen,” said Wout van Aert before the start.

Nearly all the favorites had a good start. As expected, fast starter Laurens Sweeck took the lead and quickly strung out the field. Wout van Aert rode in second position, with Tom Meeusen and Mathieu van der Poel on his wheel. Van der Poel clearly had a plan and in the second lap he attacked. Due to the fast pace of the in-form rider, Van der Poel dropped his rivals one by one. Only Wout van Aert seemed to be able to follow Van der Poel, but already in the third lap it was clear who would win the race.

In the fourth round, Mathieu van der Poel had a comfortable lead, but the young rider still took too much risk. He had to put his foot on the ground but managed to stay upright. Further back, a bit of drama happened when Vincent Baestaens and Jens Adams had a bit of a fight after a small tumble. Adams closed the door for Baestaens who was anything but pleased with the move.

In a sharp curve, Baestaens tried to hit Adams and he was of course disqualified. In front, Laurens Sweeck and Wout van Aert, the best of the rest, were involved in a fierce battle for second place. However, no one could match Mathieu van der Poel who could raise his arms at the finishhe was allowed solo throwing arms up in the air at the finish. In the sprint for second, Van Aert got the better of Sweeck and so retained the overall lead in the DVV Trofee series.

The fourth round will be held on December 10 in Essen.

Result

1. Mathieu van der Poel 57.50

2. Wout Van Aert +0.06

3. Laurens Sweeck +0.07

4. Kevin Pauwels +0.20

5. Corne Van Kessel +0.28

6. Michael Vanthourenhout +0.29

7. Tim Merlier +1.16

8. Gianni Vermeersch +1.18

9. Toon Aerts +1.29

10. Jim Aernouts +1.53

Overall standings

1. Wout Van Aert 3.02.35

2. Kevin Pauwels +2.06

3. Michael Vanthourenhout +2.23

4. Toon Aerts +3.44

5. Corne Van Kessel +4.00

6. Jens Adams +4.20

7. Laurens Sweeck +4.30

8. Mathieu van der Poel +4.55

9. Tom Meeusen +6.11

10. Gianni Vermeersch +7.31