After his many wins, Wout van Aert was finally beaten when he came up short against Kevin Pauwels in the Bpost Bank Trofee race in Hasselt. The young Belgian admitted that his rival had been stronger on the technical course.

With wins in Hamme-Zogge, Koksijde and the Koppenbergcross, Wout van Aert has had a remarkable first season at the pro level. Since his victory in the latter race, he has been unbeatable in the elite races.

Today his streak was broken when he was beaten by a strong Kevin Pauwels after an exciting duel in the Bpost Bank Trofee race in Hasselt. He lost contact with his rival in the final lap.

"In the final lap, I was not too good in the sand section," he told Het Nieuwsblad. "I had to catch back. Today Kevin was better, especially in the technical sections."

Van Aert also lost time on each lap as he was one of the only riders who had to run over the barriers.

"I must do something urgently. I have to overcome the scare (Van Aert broke his collarbone after a fall on the barriers early in the season, ed.). All in all I am satisfied with the second place because I felt not quite fresh. At 8 o'clock, I leave by plane to Alicante for the second part of my training camp."