Cyclo-cross: impressive images of the victory of a mud-covered Wout Van Aert in Dendermonde

It’s difficult to tell cyclo-cross riders apart when they finish their event covered in mud, from their heads to their socks, including their jerseys. A clue all the same to recognize at least one: there is a good chance that the one who crosses the line as winner will be called Wout Van Aert. The Belgian hasn’t competed in many races since the start of winter, but when he gets on his horse, it’s to win. This well-known scenario repeated itself this Sunday in Dendermonde.

In Belgium, it was about the eighth stage of the World Cup. Here, Van Aert had to face competition from Mathieu Van der Poel, the only rider really capable of depriving the Visma-Lease a Bike cyclist of victory, excluding mechanical or physical problems.

His first in the World Cup this season

But the Dutchman was injured before giving up and leaving the field open to his rival. The latter won for the second time in three races this winter. After the Superprestige in Gullegem the day before, Van Aert braved the mud to put 1′20′’ on his compatriot Emiel Verstrynge and 1′41′’ on another, Joran Wyseure in Dendermonde.