Van der Poel dominates and defeats Van Aert in the first duel of the season with authority

Van der Poel claims victory at the Exact Cross in Mol and takes the first round of his personal battle with Van Aert. The Dutchman displayed a sublime level with which he overcame the Belgian without opposition and became the master and lord of Mol until the finish line. The feast ended with all the riders outside the top ten lapped.

Van der Poel shines at the Exact Cross in Mol and beats Van Aert in the first duel of the season

The clouds that covered the sky of Mol witnessed the great start made by Van Aert and Van der Poel. The two specialists showed themselves from the beginning and took the first two positions from the first pedal stroke. Van Aert overtook him in the sand section and both began to open a gap, except for a Hermans who was struggling against his legs to keep up the pace.

Van der Poel took the lead with an overtaking on the sand that left Van Aert a few meters behind. The Belgian gave a pull and was able to catch him to line up with him at the finish line. Behind them, Hermans and Vandeputte joined forces to form the chasing duo.

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Van Aert in front. The two mud beasts kept their faces intact, as if the burst that had made the rest of the riders disappear had barely dented their strength. Van der Poel showed a bit more skill in the more technical parts, while Van Aert resisted the Dutchman's surgical lines and reattached afterwards.

New pass through the finish line with a surprising Hermans who held his own alongside the two favorites. And Van der Poel attacked. The Dutchman noticed that he was forced to put his foot on the ground on some climbs. Van der Poel took advantage of the learning and passed first through that area. Bingo. The gap was made alone when Van Aert dismounted from the bike and Van der Poel put the rest with a brutal speed.

The hole kept getting bigger and bigger. The Orange Beast found a rhythm that Van Aert searched for without success. The Dutchman galloped lightly although he had to deal with a chain jump that forced him to stop. Even so, he mounted without giving up too much time and started pedaling again with the helm of the lead.

Fifth lap. The clock marked a difference of 23 seconds and the positive sensations presaged a peaceful second half of the race for Van der Poel, despite the fact that there were still many kilometers ahead.

Meanwhile, Van Aert was fighting his own battle in no man's land. The Belgian increased the pace, showing off his persistent pursuit; an increase that allowed him to distance the trio that was coming from behind and momentarily stop the bleeding of seconds in relation to the head.

Van der Poel crossed the finish line again and put 12 more seconds on Van Aert and the difference rose to 44 seconds. The Dutchman continued to ride without any disturbance in mind and maintained the lead with an authority that - barring a major surprise - was going to deliver him the victory.

Behind him, the trio fighting for third place disintegrated when Vandeputte squeezed his quadriceps and was able to open a cushion with Hermans and Vandebosch.

Van Aert kept the pulse of the race with a solvency that prevented him from suffering for the second place but insufficient to dream of a quick comeback. The kilometers were consumed at a dizzying speed and the race was heading towards the last lap.

New pass through the finish line by Van der Poel to sign the best lap. The Orange Beast continued to move the pedals like no one else and overcame the technical parts with agility. Van Aert continued meters behind alone.

Without unexpected plot twists, Van der Poel headed steadily to the finish line to raise his arms and certify the victory at the Exact Cross in Mol. Second win in two races and first round won in the battle with Van Aert. The Dutchman got rid of two seasons in which the Belgian had beaten him on this track.

For his part, Van Aert had to settle for a second position with which he signs a solid result but far from a Van der Poel who today has simply been better. 

At the Antwerp CX World Cup - which takes place tomorrow - there will be a new battle for the cyclocross crown and it will be the first occasion this season in which Van der Poel, Van Aert and Pidcock will face each other.

Results Exact Cross Mol 2023 - Elite Men's

1. Mathieu Van der Poel 58'27"
2. Wout Van Aert +1'17"
3. Niels Vandeputte +2'12"
4. Quinten Hermans 2'16"
5. Toon Vandebosch +2'32"
6. Gianni Vermeersch +4'55"
7. Anton Ferdinande +5'20"
8. Sander De Vet +5'30"
9. Jarno Bellens +5'32"
10. Tom Meeusen +5'33"