Radcross: Mathieu van der Poel (Corendon – Circus) and Lucinda Brand (Sunweb) celebrated a home win in Hoogerheide. Overall winner for the women was today's third Marianne Vos (CCC - Liv). In the men's category, the Belgian Toon Aerts (Telenet – Fidea) was able to catch his compatriot Wout Van Aert (Cibel – Cebon).
Lucinda Brand makes everything clear in the last lap
Orange dominates! Because in the women's cyclocross world cup there was (almost) nothing to get for riders outside of the Netherlands this season. Only the American Kaitlin Keough (Cannondale) was allowed to win a race. All other successes went to the #1 cyclocross nation. The last World Cup race of the season was ultimately a matter for the local pros. But despite a good start and an early attack, the winner should not today Marianne Vos (CCC – Liv) are called. The overall World Cup winner has to get behind the Dutch champion Lucinda Brand (Sunweb) and the American Catherine Compton (KFC Racing) were content with third place.
Lucinda Brand:
“I felt great and really strong. The first half of the race wasn't what I imagined. But after that I had the freedom to choose my own line and was able to use my power perfectly."
Toon Aerts catches Wout Van Aert after all
The men's fans were also able to celebrate a local winner. dominator Mathieu van der Poel (Corendon – Circus) won his sixth World Cup race this season – and with it all he has raced. However, the Dutchman was no longer able to fight for overall victory because he missed three races this season. So the duel for the crown was a purely Belgian affair, in which something came as a surprise Toon Aerts (Telenet - Fidea). Wout van aert (Cibel – Cebon) was able to prevail. The two Belgians came to Hoogerheide with almost the same number of points. There, Toon Aerts pushed the pace right at the start. This attack was so strong that even Mathieu van der Poel was initially unable to follow. Only as the race progressed did he catch up. In the last lap he finally let it go and drove safely to his victory. Behind him, Wout Van Aert had to change his bike – but even without this technical problem, he probably wouldn't have had a chance today.
Mathieu van der Poel:
“This season is like a dream. I can hardly believe what I have achieved. This career was not prophesied to me as a junior. And now, in my fourth year as a professional, I've managed to do it."
Our Elite winners today in Hoogerheide, @lucinda_brand and @mathieuvdpoel. 🇳🇱🇳🇱
Together they have a very impressive 9 #TelenetUCICXWC victories this season! pic.twitter.com/XnYtzue3DV
— UCI Cyclocross (@UCI_CX) 27 January 2019