'I should have attacked sooner': Van Aert loses out to Del Grosso in Heusden-Zolder duel

Van Aert cut a composed figure in the interview area despite clear frustration. “Such a close finish is always a shame. It was an intense battle, and I am disappointed,” he told Sporza. “Halfway through, I broke open the race and together we made the selection. I rode again on the selective section, but I could not let him go. I felt we were worth each other.”

The race came down to the final lap and a tactical run-in into a block headwind. Van Aert eased the pace on the finishing straight in an effort to force Del Grosso to the front, but the Dutch champion held his nerve and timing. “It was a headwind,” Van Aert explained. “It was very difficult to start this sprint at the front, but I also did not want to risk entering the final section in second position. You could still make mistakes there. In retrospect, I probably should have dared to attack sooner, but the risk was that I would have dragged him along in my slipstream.”

Van Aert was quick to credit his rival. “This was sport at its purest and closest. I should not underestimate the opposition at all. Tibor is a top talent and has shown that he is worthy.”

For Del Grosso, it was a coolly executed first big sprint for a cyclocross victory. “It was very cool to sprint for the victory for the first time in such a cross,” he told Telenet Play Sports. “I was pretty calm. I was happy that we had a nice lead on the pursuers, so I could really play poker. I am actually surprised that Wout did not start a little earlier. I was able to choose the right moment in the sprint. With this audience, you manage to extend your effort a little longer. I was still afraid that Wout would come back, but I was sure after my jump.”

Del Grosso said he had lined up with winning intent. “I was really keen to compete at the front. I never went further than second place during the cross. It was nice that the two of us could ride away. That makes the race a lot easier.”

After recent back niggles in previous races, the Dutch champion reported a smoother day on a course that rewarded patience as much as power. “It was a bit more tactical today and you also had some more moments of rest. Last weekend was very tough, but now it went well.”

Van Aert leaves Zolder with another podium but also signs that his form is beginning to catch up with his ambitions. Del Grosso departs with a signature win and confirmation that he can go toe to toe with one of the sport’s biggest stars when the margin for error is razor thin.