Mathieu Van der Poel scorches to 15th consecutive cyclocross victory in sandy Hofstade

It was a case of a job well done from the World Champion Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), who picked up his third victory in three days as the busy nature of the cyclocross Kersteperiode reveals itself.

On a sandy course in Hofstade, Belgium, Van der Poel delivered another exhibition performance as he powered his way to a comfortable solo victory in front of the passionate fans that lined the circuit, finishing 0:48 ahead of Wout van Aert and 1:02 over Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Deceuninck).

It’s now the Dutchman’s 15th consecutive victory in the cross field, spanning over three different seasons, and there are no signs that the streak will be broken any time soon, such is Van der Poel’s class.

It was Laurens Sweeck (Crelan-Corendon) who led the field out in the opening minutes, with both Van der Poel and Van Aert getting solid starts also. Though Van Aert slipped on a corner, and found himself a few positions further down than he wanted. 

When Van der Poel opened up his engine on the second lap, it was only the Belgian champion Thibau Nys (Baloise Glowi Lions) who tried to follow, whilst Van Aert eventually tried to bridge across. 

Van der Poel went clear from Nys on lap 3, whilst Van Aert’s strength enabled him to ride through the sand sections where most were running, and this enabled the Belgian to pass and distance Nys in second place.

Despite his strength, Van Aert was unable to close the gap to Van der Poel, who was flying around the fast course in Hofstade, throwing his bike around the tight corners with plenty of panache.

It was a competitive battle for the third spot on the podium, with Laurens Sweeck pulling clear, before Nys, who had suffered a crash in the sand, as well as Vandeputte, looked to close the gap.

On the final lap, Nys and Vandeputte were neck and neck, but it was the latter who managed to win the sprint to claim the final spot on the podium, behind a dominant Van der Poel, and a solid performance by Van Aert in only his second cross outing of the season.

Meanwhile, in the elite women’s race, it was Lucinda Brand who extended her phenomenal streak to nine consecutive victories. Brand was joined on the podium by her teammate Shirin Van Anrooij, with Manon Bakker in third.

The cyclocross action will continue on Tuesday with the fifth round of the Superprestige series in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium. Van der Poel won’t be in action, but Van Aert will.

The racing action will take a very brief pause for Christmas before resuming with the seventh round of the UCI World Cup in Gavere, Belgium, on December 26, where Van der Poel will return, having won the previous three editions.