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Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) dominated the thick sand sections below wet climate circumstances to win Superprestige Mol-Zilvermeercross on Monday.
The World Champion launched a searing assault with 4 laps to go and was briefly joined by Laurens Sweeck (Crelan-Corendon). However, the latter faltered via the ruts within the sand and misplaced useful time however managed to complete second place at 1:03 again.
Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) crossed the road in third place at 1:35 behind.
After profitable the UCI World Cup spherical in Zonhoven on Sunday, Van der Poel continued his success initially of the week, lining up because the favorite to win in Mol the next day.
Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Deceuninck) lead the race on lap one adopted by Sweeck and teammate Joran Wyseure (Crelan-Corendon), Van der Poel, Felipe Orts Lloret (Ridley), Lander Loockx (TDT-Unibet), Yorben Lauryssen (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal), Lars van der Haar (Baloise Trek Lions), Vanthourenhout, Lorenzo Marasco (Sebmotobikes CX), Kevin Kuhn (Charles Liègeois Roastery CX) and Clement Horny (BH-Wallonie MTB).
The intensive sand sections on the course, which included a demanding climb, had been made even thicker because of moist climate circumstances earlier within the day, and lots of the riders selected to run as an alternative of trip to preserve power within the early laps.
Vandeputte opened a small lead initially of the second lap whereas his teammate Van der Poel sat comfortably again within the chase group a number of seconds behind. He was quickly joined by Vanthourenhout and Wyseure on the lead, however because the tempo slowed, the entrance group hit the deep sand collectively – all dismounting their bikes to run.
On the third lap, Van der Haar moved into the lead over the steps adopted by Sweeck and Vanthourenhout, Wyseure, Van der Poel, Ors Lloret, Vandeputte and Kuhn held 5 seconds on the chase group.
The skies opened up and rain got here down on the riders as Van der Haar and Sweeck continued to place strain on the group, however Van der Poel slowly labored his approach ahead and launched a searing assault on lap 4. The world champion led onto the sand and stored the strain on.
Sweeck closed the hole to Van der Poel and the pair gained roughly 10 seconds on the chase group of Van der Haar, Wyseure, Vanthourenout, and Kuhn initially of the fifth lap.
Van der Poel rode a clean circuit on the sixth lap whereas Sweeck misplaced floor after faltering via the deep ruts within the sand and ended up falling a number of seconds behind the chief.
Van der Poel led the race by 25 seconds initially of the seventh of ten laps and confirmed no indicators of slowing down. He continued to increase his result in over a minute throughout the remaining laps and crossed the end line to take his second win of the season.
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