Emiel Verstrynge managed to cycle to an impressive third place behind the unapproachable Mathieu van der Poel and runner-up (and teammate) Laurens Sweeck in the World Cup round of Antwerp. And the young Belgian was very happy with that!
Just over half a minute behind MVDP Third place was a very good achievement for Crelan cross rider Verstrynge, the man who made his Tour de France debut alongside Van der Poel last year.
After a fifth place in Tabor, a ninth place in Flamanville and again a fifth place in Namur, his first World Cup podium of this year was finally a fact.
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Despite all the joy, there was also room for realism among the West Flemish people. ”I have to be honest: if Wout doesn’t have a puncture, you never know. But of course that can happen to anyone,” Verstrynge said flash interview.
“I just took my chance,” he said, referring to the frequent bad luck that compatriot Van Aert experienced. “Luckily I had enough in my legs to hold on to third place.”
Verstrynge has been working towards the Christmas period
And all without a preference for sand racing, Verstrynge added. “Normally I don’t like such courses, but this time it went particularly well,” was his reaction. ”It’s great to start the Christmas period like this, because it was exactly the approach for this season. If it works, it’s a lot of fun and good for confidence.”
