Eli Iserbyt aims to succeed again on his favourite course this Sunday: "A Belgian title is a once in a lifetime for a rider - winning it twice would be phenomenal"
Cyclocross
Eli Iserbyt will defend his Belgian title in Heusden-Zolder this weekend. That location will always be special to Iserbyt, because the Pauwels Sauzen - Cibel Clementines rider became the U23 world champion there in 2016 in a race he likes to recall every now and then.
As the riders were about to finish the penultimate lap, Czech rider Adam Toupalik suddenly started sprinting and then raised his hands, thinking he had won. He quickly realized his mistake and had been still able to put up a fight in final lap, but Iserbyt ultimately prevailed.
"I think everyone can still remember that," Iserbyt tells WielerFlits. "Every year I look back at that race. It really was a crazy day. If you were to tell someone in advance what would happen in that cross, no one would believe you."
It was one of those moments that made Iserbyt realize his cyclocross potential. "That’s where my professional career really started. That’s when I stopped studying law and was able to become a professional after all. Heusen-Zolder will always be a special place for me."
Iserbyt already got to enjoy the Belgian tricolore this season but this Sunday, he'll have unique opportunity to go back-to-back. "I've won the jersey before, but it’s something I’m looking forward to. A Belgian title is a once in a lifetime for a rider. If I could do that twice, that would be phenomenal."
A weapon that Iserbyt has is the fact that he can play the team game together with Michael Vanthourenhout. Although Iserbyt has a side note. "I think that in Heusden-Zolder, and also at the Belgian Championships in general, it is difficult to ride with two. Of course it is good for us that Michael is also in shape. The fact that you can bet on two horses is certainly an advantage. But really doing a lot for each other in Heusden-Zolder will be difficult."
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