Extraordinary Van Der Poel! The world champion dominated the fifth elite Cyclocross World Cup event, held in Antwerp, Belgium. The world champion shows no mercy even to the returning Van Aert, who at this moment is unable to keep up with his friend-rival Mathieu. Behind Van der Poel, the battle for second place rages on, ultimately won by Sweeks over Verstynge: Van Aert finishes in seventh place.

Van Aert and Van der Poel both started from the third row but had no trouble getting to the front positions in less than two minutes. Then the world champion, together with Tibor Del Grosso and Joris Nieuwenhuis, broke away and ultimately dropped everyone with an impressive acceleration.

Van der Poel took off, created a gap, and then managed the race with great attention while behind him the battle for the podium raged. In the fifth lap, Van Aert attacked, dropping Nieuwenhuis, Del Grosso, and Sweeck, but a puncture made him lose ground to the point that he exited the pits, after changing bikes, in eighth position, and his attempt to make up ground was in vain.

For Team Italy, Filippo Fontana and Filippo Agostinacchio had a good comeback race, managing to climb positions and enter the top twenty of the final classification.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. VAN DER POEL Mathieu - Alpecin - Deceuninck in 1:01:24
2. SWEECK Laurens - Crelan - Corendon at 0:24
3. VERSTRYNGE Emiel - Crelan - Corendon at 0:33
4. RONHAAR Pim - Baloise Glowi Lions at 0:35
5. VANDEPUTTE Niels - Alpecin - Deceuninck at 0:36
6. DEL GROSSO Tibor - Alpecin - Deceuninck at 0:39
7. VAN AERT Wout - Visma - Lease a Bike at 0:51
8. VANTHOURENHOUT Michael - Pauwels Sauzen - Altez Industriebouw at 1:19
9. HENDRIKX Mees - Heizomat - Cube at 1:30
10. WYSEURE Joran - Crelan - Corendon at 1:44
11. AERTS Toon - Deschacht - Hens CX Team at 1:52
12. ORTS LLORET Felipe - Ridley Racing Team at 1:54
13. KAMP Ryan - elite at 1:55
14. MEEUSSEN Witse - Crelan - Corendon s.t.
15. VANDEBOSCH Toon - Crelan - Corendon at 2:06
16. NIEUWENHUIS Joris - Ridley Racing Team at 2:23
17. FONTANA Filippo - elite at 2:34
18. VAN DE PUTTE Victor - Deschacht - Hens CX Team at 2:42
19. AGOSTINACCHIO Filippo - EF Education - Easypost - Oatly at 2:54
20. BOROS Michael - elite at 2:55