Van der Poel makes it three in a row in Zonhoven

Mathieu van der Poel claimed victory in the Zonhoven World Cup for the third consecutive year. His teammate Tibor Del Grosso finished second, ahead of Emiel Verstrynge.

World champion Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) started from the front row and got the best start of the entire field. Toon Aerts (Charles Liègeois - Deschacht) tried to follow Van der Poel, but it was in vain. After four minutes of racing, the Dutchman went solo. Thibau Nys (Baloise Verzekeringen - Het Poetsbureau Lions), Emiel Verstrynge (Crelan-Corendon) and Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Premier Tech) followed a few seconds behind.

In the second of eight laps, Tibor Del Grosso (Alpecin-Premier Tech) joined the chasing group. The Dutch champion had had a slower start but was confident he could join his teammate Van der Poel on the podium.

Lap four brought plenty of drama. Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen - Altez Industriebouw CT) also joined the chasers. Van der Poel, riding solo at the front, suffered two punctures and lost significant time. Nys saw his chance to attack but crashed hard, breaking his handlebars. He continued the race regardless and ultimately moved up to nineteenth, still climbing to second place in the overall standings.

At the front, Mathieu van der Poel remained untouchable. Del Grosso and Verstrynge battled for the podium, but in lap six Del Grosso created a gap. Van der Poel thus took his third consecutive victory in Zonhoven, his sixth overall, and his ninth of the season. He also takes the lead in the World Cup standings.