On the shores of the Schelde river, Wout Van Aert took his fourteenth victory of the season at the Scheldecross and so remains undefeated in the bpost Bank Trofee. "Still, I'm not concerned with that string. The victories come automatically when I do my best," he said.

"I'm very happy with this victory on this difficult course. I did not really know what to expect beforehand, which was evident in the beginning," Wout Van Aert told Het Nieuwsblad. "Everyone stayed together for a long time but then I dropped my chain on a climb. Therefore I opened the unintentionally because Mathieu (van der Poel, ed.) got a gap there. When I got back to Mathieu, we got another beautiful race."

"It was my intention to attack in those two long sections of sand because that is a strong point for me. That I was head and shoulders above the rest? I do not think so, especially not today. I could make a difference in the end so I was not above the rest today," he added. 

"I did not realize that Mathieu had made a mistake in the sand," he continued. "In previous laps I had noticed that there was a section where I could do well and that I had to tae my chance. I did and I got away. It was quite difficult. I am very happy with this victory. I always start to win, but I did not stand out here. I'm just happy, also with my condition at the moment and on Sunday we will have a new race.

"Whether I am on the way to remain unbeaten in this series? I'm really not thinking about that. The victories come automatically when I do my best."