Laurens Sweeck takes the first win of his season at Essen in sprint finish against Niels Vandeputte

It was two wins in one day for Crelan - Corendon as after Marion Norbert Riberolle, Laurens Sweeck took the victory in an exciting edition of the men's cross race in Essen.

The race in Essen was very fast and non-technical, so it became very tactical. A few attacks surged all throughout the race but there wasn't space to create a real difference. Most of the main favourites to take the win were up front when it mattered, a few of them saving their legs for the final two laps.

Toon Aerts and Lander Loockx launched a few attacks but there was a sense that in the group it would all come down to the last lap effort. It was a thrilling finale where Niels Vandeputte launched a big attack in the final minutes of the race and was only followed by Laurens Sweeck.

Sweeck managed to hang on to the wheel and then put in a brilliant sprint to take the first victory of his season, just barely managing to beat a clearly disappointed Vandeputte. Jens Adams rode conservatively and had the edge in the finale to take the final spot on the podium.