Toon Aerts edged out defending champion Thibau Nys to win an exciting 2025 European Cyclocross Championships in Middelkerke on Sunday. The Belgian showcased his mastery within the sand to safe his second victory of the 2025-2026 cyclocross season and his second European crown, 9 years after his first.
Compelled to chase again after dropping floor, Aerts lastly rejoined the lead group after six laps of racing. He then positioned himself flawlessly on the entrance of a four-rider group heading into the ultimate straight, the place he powered to victory.
Defending champion Thibau Nys couldn’t come out of Aerts’ slipstream and took the silver medal. Jordan Wyseure completed third for a Belgian sweep of the rostrum.
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“That is such a big day. As soon as, virtually 10 years in the past, my profession began on the European Championships. And now, so a few years later, I believe I can launch my second profession once more,” stated an emotional Aerts, tears of pleasure streaming down his face.
“The race was prefer it was over in a number of seconds. In my thoughts, I misplaced the race in the meanwhile as a result of I used to be caught within the visitors of the opposite racers within the sand, however I had some robust elements additionally within the sand, and I can come again to the entrance group.
“Look within the final lap, I believe, and I can have a spot within the final sand zone, I used to be in entrance, after which on the end, I simply know what occurred. However luck was on my facet as we speak. It’s [been] some time in the past I had such luck.
“The final years have been so tough, and to achieve this as we speak. It is unbelievable. I do not know what to say.”
The way it unfolded
Held for the second time in Belgium, the UEC European Cyclocross Championship noticed an exciting battle between the Low International locations, when 26 riders – eight from Belgium, and 6 from the Netherlands – took the beginning in Middelkerke. The daunting course, on and across the navy area of Lombardsijde. wound via dunes, grassy stretches, sand sections, and technical corners.
The race began at a blistering tempo, with the primary sand part showing simply 90 seconds after the beginning/end line and a proper flip. Toon Aerts grabbed the holeshot, whereas defending champion Thibau Nys slipped his left foot off his pedal, dropping precious floor early on.
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Michael Vanthourenhout (Belgium) took over the pacemaking forward of a strung-out subject as they tackled the tough course, heading the important thing seashore part the place the Belgian riders opted to take the decrease line, using the tougher sand on the water’s edge whereas others dismounted to run the upper line.
Jostling for positioning between the Belgian and Dutch riders on the entrance raged for the complete eight-lap race. The Dutch trio of Mees Hendrikx, Joris Nieuwenhuis and Pim Ronhaar all took turns to attempt to disrupt the Belgian workforce, as Vanthourenhout after which Aerts additionally alternated on the entrance, earlier than Aerts misplaced place following a motorcycle change.
Shuffling and re-shuffling continued on the entrance, with a gaggle of eight riders distancing themselves on the fourth lap. The combat for place continued on, particularly earlier than two key sections: first, the seashore part with its steep uphill exit, after which a bumpy part, which led to many assaults.
On the subsequent lap, Vanthourenthout, Ronhaar, Nys and Jordan Wyseure (Belgium) had a slight lead of 13 seconds to an eight-rider chase group led by Hendrikx. Although Ronhaar put in a number of digs, he was not in a position to escape for lengthy, whereas the chase group fractured.
With two laps to go, Aerts linked to make it 5 riders within the entrance group, with Mason main the chase, efficiently closing down a 15-second hole earlier than the seashore part. There, Aerts confirmed his energy, taking up the entrance as they climbed again out.
Extra riders joined briefly the lead group as they began the bell lap. Wyseure took up the pacemaking, then it was Nys’ flip whereas Aerts moved up, bumping shoulders with Ronhaar as they headed in direction of the seashore. Led by Ronhaar, all of the riders at this level have been using the moist sand by the water’s edge.
Ronhaar was the primary to clip again on as they left the seashore, whereas Nys took the surface line to get round his Belgian teammate into second spot. The group of six was nonetheless collectively, with Nys setting the tempo heading into the subsequent key part. Aerts stayed shut behind, then surged to the entrance on the ultimate straight, launching his dash first to grab the victory.
Outcomes
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