Niels Vandeputte scores in Hulst

After Marie Schreiber, Niels Vandeputte also secured his first World Cup victory in Hulst. The Belgian adopted the same tactic as the Luxembourg rider: leading from start to finish.

Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Deceuninck) took control of the race early, setting the pace in Hulst. Toon Aerts (Deschacht-Hens-FSP) crashed in one of the first corners, losing several positions. Vandeputte quickly established a four-second lead over Lars van der Haar (Baloise Trek Lions) and Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal teammates Michael Vanthourenhout and Eli Iserbyt.

Vanthourenhout led the chasing group in the second lap but crashed alongside Iserbyt on one of the steep descents. Meanwhile, Felipe Orts (Ridley Cycling Team), Pim Ronhaar, Thibau Nys (Baloise Trek Lions), and Emiel Verstrynghe (Crelan-Corendon) returned from the background.

Mistakes kept piling up for the chasers. Vanthourenhout crashed again on the same descent, and Van der Haar, Nys, and Ronhaar also went down. This only increased Vandeputte’s lead, which reached 31 seconds midway through the race.

Orts and Iserbyt broke away from the chasing group and closed the gap to 24 seconds with three laps remaining. Orts seemed comfortable in Hulst, dropping Iserbyt and beginning a solo pursuit of Vandeputte. He closed the gap to 10 seconds, but the Belgian ultimately prevailed.

Vandeputte survived Orts’ attacks and looked set for victory as he entered the final lap. He eventually crossed the finish line with a 9-second lead over Felipe Orts, while Pim Ronhaar overtook Eli Iserbyt to claim third place.