"Eli wins today and I come in third, then we can call it a good day" - Michael Vanthourenhout satisfied with podium in Tabor

Michael Vanthourenhout has started off his season very strongly, but since the start of the World Cup, Pauwels Sauzen - Bingoal has seen the rise once again of Eli Iserbyt who has taken three wins out of three races, effectively dominating the standings so far.

“I'm happy to finish on the podium today," Vanthourenhout said in a post-race interivew. "It was very tactical and everyone looked at us. That made it difficult, but we handled it well. Eli wins today and I come in third, then we can call it a good day.” The strategy from the Belgian team was clear, as both Ryan Kamp and Vanthourenhout attacked the fast and tactical race looking to wear out their rivals - with Laurens Sweeck frequently answering all moves directly.

Eventually their former teammates' engine blew out, as Eli Iserbyt attacked halfway through the race and got the winning gap. “Eli was very strong again today. He was the strongest on the ascending sections," Vanthourenhout continued.

As Sweeck failed to close the gap he cracked, with Lars van der Haar attacking into second place. “Lars stayed in fourth or fifth position for a long time. I knew he would come, but when the time came, I had no answer in the house," he described. "So I'm happy with my third place." Keeping up with Sweeck until the final lap, he then attacked to ride into third place. He now sits third in the World Cup, 48 points behind Iserbyt but now only 10 points behind Sweeck.