Wout Van Aert has won the first edition of the Zilvermeercrosee. On a nice course around Zilvermeer which was made more specacular by the use of artificial light, Van Aert won a direct duel with Laurens Sweeck who wanted to celebrate his professional contract with a win but made a mistake in the decisive moment. For Van Aert, it is the first win since the Flandrien Cross. Further back, Tom Meeusen sprinted to a third place.
Like yesterday, both Sven Nys and Kevin Pauwels were absent as they prefer to train under the Spanish sun. However, there were still a strong line-up for the race in Mol. Young revelations van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel were joined by Tom Meeusen and former Belgian champion Klaas Vantornout.
Under the lights, Van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel went to the front immediately. However, the youngster were not able to get clear. After two laps, a nine-rider group was formed, including all the favourites.
Nineteen-year-old Laurens Sweeck who finished second in yesterday's Scheldecrosee, signed his first professional contract today and celebrated it with another strong performance. Full of youthful enthusiasm, Corendon Kwadro rider tried to get a gap already in the third lap but due to a hard chase by Wout Van Aert, everything came back together. Five leaders were together at the halfway point.
In the seventh lap, Tom Meeusen slid out in a crucial moment. The Telenet-Fidea leader nearly brought everyone down. Again Laurens Sweeck got away but again a strong Wout Van Aert was on Sweeck's wheel. With only one and a half lap to go, the duo were set to decide the race.
In a crucial sand section Laurens Sweeck made an error. Van Aert saw his chance and immediately created a gap. At the start of the final lap, he was 15 seconds ahead of Sweeck.
Just like yesterday, Meeusen was determined to get on the podium. As in Saturday's Scheldecross, Meeusen rode strongly in pursuit which earned him a deserved third place. However, Wout Van Aert was again the best rider in the race and again delivered a beautiful victory to his team leader Niels Albert.
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