Iserbyt triumphs in Antwerpen

Eli Iserbyt has won the first round of the UCI World Cup this season in Antwerpen. A powerful drawn-out attack by the Belgian champion created a gap that he was able to sustain until the end of the race. 

Sand expert Laurens Sweeck (Crelan - Corendon) made it clear from the start that he intended to live up to his role as favourite. Thibau Nys (Baloise Trek Lions) also did not miss his start and dived into the first corner just ahead of Sweeck. As the race entered the second lap, a group made up of Nys, Sweeck, teammates Michael Vanthourenhout and Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen - Bingoal), and Van der Haar (Baloise Trek Lions) had separated themselves from the rest of the field.  

The group remained close together until Sweeck decided to stir things up for the first time at the end of the second lap and he succeeded in creating a small gap. A small mistake by Nys was the signal for Iserbyt to make the jump to Sweeck. Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin - Deceuninck) found his way back to the group of chasers, after which a regrouping of the favourites took place.  

Iserbyt took over the lead and put the group under pressure; Nys had to close the gap again. The Belgian champion continued to accelerate and managed to thin out the leading group with a long, sustained attack. Only Sweeck and Vanthourenhout could still keep a sight of his wheel. 

Not much later, they too were dropped. Iserbyt showed grit as the riders behind regrouped once more. Vanthourenhout assumed the role of blocker for his teammate, giving Iserbyt the chance to gradually extend his lead. 

After five laps, Iserbyt had 13 seconds on the first pursuers. Nys was active, but on the tough sandy course he saw the chasers eventually pulling away from him. Sweeck, with Vanthourenhout on his wheel, tried to sneak closer to the leader, but in vain. 

With 2 laps to go, the composition of the podium for the opening round of the World Cup seemed to be a done deal. Further back in the race, Toon Aerts (Deschacht - Hens-FSP), starting from the fifth row, executed an impressive catch-up race to get into the top 10. 

Just before the pit, Sweeck took advantage of Vanthourenhout’s flat tyre to ensure second place. Eli Iserbyt remained clear and still had enough for one more scorching acceleration before securing the win. The Belgian champion is thus the first and convincing leader in this season’s World Cup.