There is no race in cyclo-cross that is beyond Wout Van Aert's reach. The 21-year-old rider of Vastgoedservice - Golden Palace also demonstrated his superiority at the Koppenbergcross where he arrived solo with an advantage of more than 30 secods.

Kevin Pauwels finished second, Van der Haar third. For Van Aert who defended his title themselves in Oudenaarde, it is already the eighth win of the season. He also increased his lead in the Bpost Bank Trofee standings. Sven Nys was unable to win his Koppenbergcross for a tenth time as he was again set back by mechanicals.

All eyes were focused on Sven Nys and Wout Van Aert at the start. Those two had a memorable battle last year where Wout Van Aert turned out to be the strongest. Sven Nys was hindered by Jan Denuwelaere, Van Aertøs teammate. Nys had hoped to end his career with a 10th win on the Koppenberg but things turned out completely different.

As so often before, Nys staretd slowly and was on the defensive immediately. Instead, it was the surprising names of Thijs Van Amerongen (Telenet-Fidea) and Diether Sweeck (ERA Murprotect) who emerged after three laps. The duo cooperated well while Lars van der Haar and Wout Van Aert traded blows further back.

With four laps to go, Van Aert attacked with a serious acceleration. In no time, he left van der Haar behind him and Van Amerongen and Sweeck also had to surrender when the Belgian rushed past the duo. The advantage for the Vasgoedservice-Golden Palace grew rapidly. Seven seconds at the end of lap six and 20 second at the end of lap 7.

Suddenly, Van der Haar was joined by Kevin Pauwels. The Belgian who had been anonymous until then, suddenly found renewed renergy and even dropped an der Haar in the final lap. Sven Nys who was fighting with Tom Meeusen for fourth, seemed to miss out on the podium in his last Koppenbergcross. In the last round, a mechanical destroyed his race and he had to withdraw.

At the finish, Wout Van Aert had a comfortable lead - more than 30 seconds - which secured him the eighth victory of the season. Kevin Pauwels consolidated his second place in the Bpost Bank Trofee standings with a second place, with Lars van der Haar in third.

Result

1. Wout Van Aert 

2. Kevin Pauwels - +0.31 
3. Lars van der Haar -+0. 3 
4. Tom Meeusen +1.26 
5. Thijs Van Amerongen +1.30
6. Diether Sweeck +1.42
7. Michael Vanthournhout +1.44
8. Julien Taramarcaz +1.46 
9. Corné Van Kessel +1.50
10. Gianni Vermeersch +1.56