Eighth victory for Van der Poel in Antwerp
Van der Poel dominated his second race in a row, winning decisively in Antwerp. The world champion crossed the line ahead of Sweeck and Verstrynge after almost the entire race spent in solo control.
The world champion arrived in Antwerp with a plan. Starting from the second row, Van der Poel (Alpecin–Deceuninck) steadily moved up through the ranks. Once at the front, he immediately set a strong pace. Del Grosso (Alpecin–Deceuninck) and Nieuwenhuis (Ridley Racing Team) stayed close and were able to reconnect briefly when Van der Poel faltered slightly in the technical section. By the end of the opening lap, the trio held a 12-second lead over the chasing group, which included Van Aert (Team Visma | Lease a Bike).
Van der Poel continued to push hard in the second lap, putting Del Grosso and Nieuwenhuis slightly behind again. Meanwhile, Van Aert managed to drop the rest of the chasers and join the leaders by the third of eight laps. However, he had to let them go slightly by the end of that lap.
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While Van der Poel gradually extended his lead at the front, a five-rider chase group formed behind. Sweeck (Crelan–Corendon) showcased his sand-riding skills, while Van Aert, chasing, dropped Nieuwenhuis, Del Grosso and Verstrynge (Crelan–Corendon) in pursuit of Sweeck. A flat tire at the front forced Van Aert to abandon the chase, and his bike change cost him several positions, leaving him over a minute behind Van der Poel. He eventually finished seventh, 51 seconds off the winner.
Although nothing seemed able to stop Van der Poel from winning today, the world champion himself suffered a flat tire. His lead was large enough to allow for a smooth bike change, leaving him roughly 30 seconds ahead of his nearest chaser, Sweeck.
Sweeck secured second place, while Verstrynge moved up in the final lap to claim third. The podium positions remained unchanged, and Van der Poel soloed to his eighth victory on the sands of Sint-Anneke. With this result, Sweeck takes over the leader’s jersey from Nys.
