Wout van Aert won the Koppenbergcross for the third time in a row in impressive fashion. On the new course, the world champion finished almost half a minute ahead of Kevin Pauwels and Lars van der Haar. Mathieu van der Poel had a bad day and finished 15th at almost 4 minutes.

Before the start there were many critical voices from the riders. They found the redesigned course too hard, with too much climbing. But when the flag was dropped, they stormed onto the cobble as usual

For the first time, Toon Aerts could show his European champion’s jersey and did so with pride. He set the pace in the first lap until Van Aert turned on the gas.

Initially, the world champion had six companions, but after a second accelerated halfway through the race, there was only one left as Van Aert and Aerts were in front. One lap later Van Aert again applied the pressure. That attack was too much for Aerts who cracked and eventually finished fourth.

Van Aert did not look back and rode unchallenged to victory. Thus, he strengthens his leadership in the DVV Trofee classficicastion.

In the battle for second place Kevin Pauwels rode away in the penultimate lap. He finished with an advantage of a handful of seconds over Lars van der Haar.

Mathieu van der Poel had an off day and was far back. He eventually lost almost four minutes.

The next race in the series is the Flandriencross on November 27.

Result

1. Wout van Aert 1.03.08

2. Kevin Pauwels +0.29

3. Lars van der Haar +0.34

4. Toon Aerts +0.46

5. Klaas Vantornout +0.56

6. Michael Vanthourenhout +1.04

7. Corne Van Kessel +1.14

8. Jens Adams +1.18

9. Laurens Sweeck +1.34

10. Michael Boros +1.44

Overall standings:

1. Wout van Aert 2.04.39

2. Kevin Pauwels +1.52

3. Michael Vanthourenhout +2.00

4. Lars van der Haar +2.98

5. Jens Adams +2.19

6. Toon Aerts +2.21

7. Klaas Vantornout ++2.54

8. Corne Van Kessel +3.38

9. Tom Meeusen +4.16

10. Laurens Sweeck +4.34