Vanthourenhout strengthens his lead in the World Cup after winning in Namur

Namur was the setting for yet another exciting battle between the men. After a difficult start, it was finally the leader in the standings, Michael Vanthourenhout, who clinched victory. Toon Aerts and surprisingly Emiel Verstrynge completed the podium. Eli Iserbyt had to abandon the race.

Toon Aerts (Deschacht-Hens-FSP) had the fastest start and was thus first into the field. Soon after, Gerben Kuypers and Kevin Kuhn, the riders from Charles Liégeois Roastery CX, took control at the front and dictated the tempo.

In the second lap, it was still Kuypers and Kuhn in the lead, with Aerts right behind. The latter made a mistake on the slanted section and slid off the course. Without too much damage, fortunately, as he would reconnect later.

Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) got off to a more difficult start, but was still able to join the leaders as the race entered the fourth lap.

In the sixth lap, Emiel Verstrynge (Crelan-Corendon) gained a few metres after a mistake by Aerts and Vanthourenhout. Until the end of the seventh lap, the young talent rode alone in the lead, but he was caught at the start of the penultimate lap.

Entering the final lap, Toon Aerts seized his chance on the climb. He quickly built up a five-second lead on Vanthourenhout. Aerts seemed to be on his way to his first victory since his suspension, but a mistake on the slanting section allowed Vanthourenhout to close the gap. Having lost all his momentum, Aerts could not keep up with his rival. And thus it was the winner in Dublin who got to triumph again.