Eli Iserbyt has won the Exact Cross in Maldegem. The Belgian champion preceded teammate Michael Vanthourenhout and Niels Vandeputte. For Iserbyt it was his ninth victory of the season. Laura Verdonschot was the best among the women.
Three days after the World Cup in Tabor, back out into the field. World champion Mathieu van der Poel is now on the skis, but that does not mean that the rest are giving up. The Parkcross in Maldegem could count on a nice field of participants.
Iserbyt, Vanthourenhout, Van der Haar, Ronhaar, Sweeck, Vandeputte, Orts, Wyseure, Verstrynge, Vandeputte: they all signed present. The lightning fast circuit caused little separation, after three quarters of the race the above ten were still together in a large leading group.
Not that some didn’t try. Vanthourenhout, Iserbyt, Ronhaar and Vandeputte were active, but driving away was not an option. It would all come down to a flaming ending. Ronhaar lit the fuse in the penultimate round.
Vanthourenhout and Iserbyt had to pump to keep the Dutchman within striking distance. Until Ronhaar lay down in a bend. The European and Belgian champions were allowed to fight it out for the victory. Vandeputte kept pushing, but was unable to close the gap.
In the last hectometers, Vanthourenhout pulled over, after which Iserbyt put the finishing touches on him with a rapid acceleration. The Parkcross in Maldegem was his ninth victory of the season. Laura Verdonschot was crowned winner among the women.
© BELGIUM
Eli Iserbyt: “After the World Cup there was some disappointment”
“I was just about to make my attack when Pim fell,” said Iserbyt. “Too bad for him, of course. I think he was a bit stuck after his acceleration. Then of course you can make a mistake. Luckily it wasn’t too wet, otherwise I would have fallen too. I just barely managed to avoid his bike. After that I gave it my all. Niels came back, hence the extra acceleration to be sure.”
“I have the impression that most of them returned from Tabor well. So we will still have some great matches. In any case, I hope to add a few more victories. After the World Cup I was a bit disappointed. It is good to resume this way. I want to end my season on a high note,” said Iserbyt.
© BELGA © BELGA © BELGA © BELGA
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