Fpr the first time in the 2015-2016 season, Wout Van Aert was beaten by Mathieu van der Poel when he had to settle for second in the World Cup race in Namur.

"I think Mathieu and I were evenly matched," Wout Van Aert told Het Nieuwsblad. "But he was in the right place at the right time and won. I was a little too focused on defending my ranking and and paid too little attention to the victory. It was one of the best races of the yearof the year: on the cutting edge, and fun for the audience to follow, but I had preferred to take the win. I'm glad that I extended my lead in the World Cup. In the end, I am satisfied with this weekend that I finish with a win and a second place."