Mathieu van der Poel finally managed to beat Wout Van Aert when he won the World Cup race in Namur.

"This is one of the most beautiful victories of my career", the Dutch world champion told Het Nieuwsblad afterwards. "A victory that I will remember for a long time."

 
Van Aert, van der Poel and Kevin Pauwels had ​​a thrilling battle in Namur. The world champion made the difference in the last few metres.

"At the beginning of the race I did not feel really good," the winner told. "I left the initiative to others, but I felt gradually got stronger as the race wnt on. In the end it was very exciting. I was absolutely shattered, and when Wout accelerated on that final climb, I had a hard time. However, he quickly hat to sit down again. Me too but I knew I had to make my move. I do not know where I got that strength from. I had to go really deep, but I managed to pass him. This is a special victory, especially after my injury, and I will remeber how I beat two top riders in this way."