Mathieu van der Poel had bad luck on Saturday in Essen, but today he left the bad day behind him with a scintillating performance at the Druivencross Overijse on Sunday. The Dutchman rode alone in front almost from start to finish and quickly decided the race. Wout Van Aert had to be satisfied with second place and Kevin Pauwels completed the podium.

Unlucky Dieter Vanthourenhout and Gianni Vermeersch already rode into each other after a few hundred meters. Dutch champion Van der Poel was keen on revenge after his unlucky race in Essen. He took charge almost immediately on the course around the Tenotsberg.

Soon after the start Van der Poel took over from Kevin Pauwels who could not keep the wheel of the Dutchman. Wout van Aert quickly passed Pauwels in the chase but he could not close the gap to van der Poel.

On the technical descent Van der Poel always extended his lead. World champion Van Aert could keep the gap relatively small in the first half of the race. Pauwels could not keep up with Van Aert. For a long time, van der Poel could not gain more than 14 seconds.

However, the elastic sprang when Van Aert had to get off the bike a steep ascent in the forest. In the next lap, the lead for the Dutchman had gone out to 20 seconds and more.

With three laps to go, the podium (Van der Poel – Van Aert – Pauwels) was decided. Van der Poel could start to consolidate as his lead grew to more than 30 seconds.

In the background Jens Adams and Wietse Bosmans dueled for fourth place. Adams was the strongest and Bosmans dropped to 10th. Tim Merlier benefited and rode to fifth place.

The time gaps were impressive. Van der Poel beat Van Aert by 57 seconds, Pauwels by 2.12, Adams by 2.25, and Merlier by no less than three minutes.

Result

1. Mathieu van der Poel

2. Wout Van Aert

3. Kevin Pauwels

4. Jens Adams

5. Tim Merlier

6. Michael Boros

7. Tom Meeusen

8. Klaas Vantornout

9. Daan Soete

10. Wietse Bosmans