Ready, set... and Mathieu Van der Poel is already alone in the lead. The ninth round of the Elite Cyclocross World Cup was essentially decided at the start: a lightning-fast race, compressed into the absolute superiority of the world champion. The snowy circuit of Zonhoven (Belgium) transformed into a long solo gallop for the Alpecin Premier Tech superstar, who left no room for anyone else.
Powered by an overwhelming condition, Van der Poel closed the match well in advance, crossing the finish line ahead of his compatriot and Dutch champion Tibor Del Grosso and Belgian Emiel Verstrynge.