Van Aert loses the sprint to Del Grosso in the Superprestige Heusden-Zolder

The fifth round of the Superprestige in Heusden-Zolder delivered one of the most intense races of this Christmas period in the cyclocross calendar. On a very fast and demanding circuit, Tibor Del Grosso took the victory after beating Wout van Aert in a very tight final sprint, with the latter having to settle for second place. Michael Vanthourenhout completed the podium. In the women's race, French rider Amandine Fouquenet achieved one of the most important victories of her career.

Tibor Del Grosso surprises Van Aert in Zolder and Felipe Orts delivers his best race of the winter

With Mathieu van der Poel absent, having chosen to rest on this day, the race was marked by a long phase of control with a large leading group, which included Spanish rider Felipe Orts from the start. The Alicante native always rode in the front positions, reading the race well and maintaining the pace when the intensity increased in the middle laps.

The decisive moment came in the final part when Van Aert and Del Grosso managed to break away from the pack and move to the front. The Belgian tried several times, especially in the fast asphalt sections, but the young Dutchman withstood every acceleration and ultimately prevailed in the final stretch with a surprising burst of speed.

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Beyond the battle for victory, one of the big news stories for Spanish cycling was Felipe Orts' performance. The Spanish champion delivered one of his best races of the season, finishing in a solid sixth place after staying with the leading group for a good part of the race and holding his own among the best when the race definitively broke apart.

Superprestige Heusden-Zolder (Men's Elite)

1. Tibor Del Grosso
2. Wout van Aert
3. Michael Vanthourenhout
4. Niels Vandeputte
5. Joran Wyseure
6. Felipe Orts
7. Kevin Kuhn

Amandine Fouquenet claims the most important victory of her career in Heusden-Zolder and hopes it helps her find a team

French rider Amandine Fouquenet won the women's elite race of the Superprestige Heusden-Zolder, achieving a victory of great sporting and symbolic value. In a fast and very open race, the French champion attacked just before the last lap and crossed the finish line solo, marking what she herself described as “the most beautiful victory” of her career.

The absence of the major winter references, such as Lucinda Brand, Puck Pieterse, Shirin van Anrooij, and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, created a favorable scenario for a tactical and highly contested race from the start. During the early laps, the leading group changed protagonists at a rapid pace, with Fouquenet always well positioned alongside Blanka Kata Vas, Inge van der Heijden, Aniek van Alphen, and Marie Schreiber.

The decisive move came just before the last lap. Fouquenet perfectly read the moment, opened a gap with a sharp acceleration, and from there managed her lead confidently until the finish line. Behind her, Vas and Van Alphen engaged in an intense battle for the podium spots.

Beyond the result, the victory in Heusden-Zolder takes on special significance due to the Frenchwoman's contractual situation. Following the disappearance of the Arkéa-B&B Hotels Women Team, Fouquenet still does not have a team secured for 2026. In statements after the race, she acknowledged that winning in Belgium “has a different value” and expressed her hope that this result helps her find a new sporting project where she can continue to balance road racing and cyclocross.

Top 10 Superprestige Heusden-Zolder (Women's Elite)

1. Amandine Fouquenet (Arkéa-B&B Hotels Women Team) – 51:03
2. Blanka Kata Vas (SD Worx-Protime) – at 8”
3. Aniek van Alphen – at 9”
4. Inge van der Heijden (Crelan-Corendon) – at 14”
5. Marion Norbert Riberolle (Crelan-Corendon) – at 32”
6. Fleur Moors (Baloise Glowi Lions) – at 45”
7. Marie Schreiber (SD Worx-Protime) – at 1’12”
8. Jolanda Neff (Swiss National Team) – at 1’46”
9. Julie Brouwers (Charles-Liégeois Roastery CX) – at 1’50”
10. Rafaelle Carrier (Canadian National Team) – at 1’51”