As expected, there was a strong field in the night competition in Diegem, Belgium. Mathieu van der Poel, Tom Pidcock, Eli Iserbyt, Thibau Nys, and Joris Nieuwenhuis were at the start. European champion Michael Vanthourenhout took the initiative and started well.
Van der Poel waits for the right moment
Van der Poel remained calm at the beginning, but it was clear that he had the strength and would certainly make a move at the right time. While Pidcock struggled in the sand, Van der Poel decided to accelerate more than twenty minutes after the start.
Watch the winning attack.
The European champion couldn’t keep up
Vanthourenhout looked back and realized he couldn’t match the pace. Pidcock was further back at this point and had nothing to do. In a short time, the advantage was already nine seconds. Pidcock did everything he could to close the gap on the next lap, but in the end, he couldn’t manage it.
World Champion kept a steady pace until the end
Van der Poel maintained a steady pace and entered the last lap with a 54-second lead. The Dutch rider kept the gap and crossed the finish line alone in Diegem. The battle for second place was more exciting. Pidcock overtook Iserbyt in the final corner and secured the second position.
Complete results of the Superprestige Diegem: