Van der Poel repeats history as usual and signs ten wins out of ten races at the CX World Cup in Zonhoven

Van der Poel takes the victory in the Zonhoven CX World Cup. The Dutchman kept a low profile until he launched an uncontestable attack with which he went solo towards the middle of the race. The rainbow recital extended to the finish line while a battle for the podium was fought behind, which ended up being won by Nieuwenhuis and Sweeck.

Van der Poel achieves ten out of ten in the Zonhoven CX World Cup

The winter cold hardened the atmosphere and the eighty riders cited in Zonhoven started the race with the mercury below zero. The start ended the options of a Mason who this season accumulates several incidents in the first meters. Iserbyt, Sweeck and Nieuwenhuis took the positions of honor, while Van der Poel climbed some steps and positioned himself behind them.

Sweeck went on to govern the test before Nieuwenhuis relieved him in the effort. The Dutchman held the baton for several kilometers, escorted by a Van der Poel who found himself comfortable on the back of his compatriot. The cranks moved quickly and Sweeck was the only one who withstood the primitive onslaught.

The trio opened a gap and, although the movement seemed to have set, a large group of pursuers caught them shortly after. Ronhaar stood out among the new members of the head and replaced his teammate in the leadership task.

 

The government of Ronhaar was taking its toll on some riders. The group was losing units as the clock advanced and disintegrated until it was reduced to six members: Ronhaar continued at the front, while Van der Poel kept a low profile behind his wheel and Nieuwenhuis, Sweeck, Vandebosch and Vanthourenhout followed in the wake.

Even so, the train kept its unity and even other riders -Nys, Vestrynge- almost managed to hook up, which showed that there was still room to push the pace. The head had decided to save energy and nobody seemed willing to try an attack with more than half the race ahead.

The fourth lap reorganized the group, although the real change came when Van der Poel did what everyone expected him to do. The movement broke the race and the Dutchman embarked on an unparalleled ride. The immediate success of the move turned the small advantage into a big gap.

Van der Poel remained focused on the breakaway and the rainbow soon got lost on the horizon. The quadriceps hammered the pedals to the rhythm of the thousands of throats that cheered him from the fences. Nieuwenhuis was the one who best resisted the blow and crossed 13 seconds the next step by goal; Vandebosch, Sweeck and Ronhaar did it 20 seconds later.

Nieuwenhuis lost the explosiveness that had allowed him to differentiate himself among the pursuers and was caught by the trio coming from behind. The quartet then embarked on their particular fight, away from the runaway of a Van der Poel who increased the income without rest.

The strength and skill combined and Van der Poel was able to dominate with apparent ease the dry circuit of Zonhoven. Vandebosch fell to the ground in a sand descent and abdicated in the fight for the podium, which from then on was in the legs of Ronhaar, Sweeck and Nieuwenhuis.

The race headed towards the last kilometers under the dominion of Van der Poel's iron quadriceps. The Dutchman -aware of the distance that separated him from the rest-, took the last lap with calm and managed the advantage he had previously won.

The curves followed without surprises or unexpected plot twists, Van der Poel headed to the finish line to raise his arms and seal the victory in the Zonhoven World Cup. Tenth victory in ten races this season. The rainbow continues unstoppable in his dream season, although on this occasion he has achieved it without Van Aert or Pidcock being present.

Behind, the bearded Nieuwenhuis picked up the pace and tensioned the group, Sweeck squeezed himself in the hope of maintaining his options despite giving up a few meters and Ronhaar deflated. The positions were maintained, Niewenhuis was second and preceded a Sweeck who returns to the podium.

Elite Male Results - Zonhoven CX World Cup

1. Mathieu Van der Poel 59'35"
2. Joris Nieuwenhuis +20"
3. Laurens Sweeck +22"
4. Pim Ronhaar +29"
5. Toon Vandebosch +59"
6. Eli Iserbyt +1'11''
7. Emiel Vestrynge +1'17"
8. Lars van der Haar +1'39"
9. Joras Wyseure +1'55"
10. Ryan Kamp +1'58"