Van Aert confirms top form with solid win in Gullegem
Wout van Aert has won the Superprestige in Gullegem. The Belgian champion rode conservatively at first, but he soon made it clear that he was the day's best rider. His win marked Van Aert's seventh victory in cyclocross this year.
As soon as the race got underway, the Team Jumbo-Visma rider let the competition determine the tempo and remained right behind them. Michael Vanthourenhout tried to accelerate, but an alert Van Aert parried the attack. At the end of the second lap, Van Aert rode further away from Eli Iserbyt and Vanthourenhout. On the slippery course, the 28-year-old Belgian ultimately rode to victory without any problems.
"I've had a good winter thus far, and I've made steady progress."
"It was a difficult cross because of the rain. The course had become very technical”, Van Aert said. "It made it difficult to get the right feeling. I wanted to stay close behind the others longer today, but that made it more difficult. When I could ride my own lines, it went more smoothly. Due to the limited possibilities to employ my strength, being perfect was essential. I am overjoyed with my first victory in Gullegem. The past several weeks have gone smoothly, and I've been successful in races I had trouble with in the past."
World champion Tom Pidcock and Mathieu van der Poel withdrew from the Superprestige race. That didn't necessarily make things easier for Van Aert. "The absentees are always wrong”, Van Aert knew. "The riders who are present are motivated. That is never easy. I've had a good winter thus far, and I've made steady progress. It makes me happy."
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