Van der Poel keeps winning streak rolling in Gavere with late knockout blow over Thibau Nys

Conditions shaped the racing from the start. With the course frozen and fast rather than the usual Gavere mud bath, the opening laps were ridden at high speed and with less room for mistakes. Del Grosso and Nys were among the first to force the issue, while Van der Poel kept things under control in the wheels as the front group formed.

A compact chase remained in touch early on, with riders like Michael Vanthourenhout, Emiel Verstrynge and Mees Hendrikx all featuring near the front, but the race began to thin out as the pace stayed high. By mid race, the contenders had started to separate from the rest.

The key split came around halfway when Nys drove the tempo and briefly drew clear with Van der Poel and Verstrynge, hinting at a move that could decide the podium. That advantage did not last, and Del Grosso and Vanthourenhout were able to bridge back, resetting the fight at the front.

From there, it became increasingly clear that the strongest legs belonged to Van der Poel and Nys. A sharp acceleration late on finally opened daylight, and the pair moved clear, turning Gavere into a head to head duel.

Nys held firm for a long time, but a small error proved costly. After a slip in the closing phase, Van der Poel sensed the moment and launched his winning move with two laps to go, quickly building a gap that grew to around fifteen seconds.

Van der Poel then managed the final laps with control, keeping the pressure on without taking unnecessary risks, while Nys settled into second with no way back.

Behind them, the battle for third stayed unresolved until the final lap, with Del Grosso eventually winning the sprint for the last podium place to join Van der Poel and Nys in Gavere.