Yesterday, Van Aert had to settle for second place in the Super Prestige in Zolder after a puncture early in the race. Today he was able to get to the front right from the start. It seemed to become another duel with world champion Mathieu van der Poel, but Van Aert quickly managed to create a gap to his rival. He managed to expand his lead and plodded on the muddy course to a rare difference of almost three minutes when he crossed the finish line.

''The course worsened every lap. It was epic and I really enjoyed it. It didn’t make much sense to apply tactics. You just had to find a maintainable pace and apparently mine was higher than the rest. When I created the gap, it quickly became bigger and that was certainly good for my morale. The differences on such a course automatically become significant. Here everyone is constantly giving everything. It’s not that I’m suddenly that much better than the rest, although this is of course a confirmation that I am in good shape”, a satisfied Van Aert said.

On New Year’s Day, the Belgian cyclist and Sportsman of the Year will ride his next cross in Baal, followed by the World Cup in Hulst on Sunday.