“I saw Mathieu riding and thought: why not?” – Emiel Verstrynge embraces Baal breakthrough behind Van der Poel

Finishing second behind Mathieu van der Poel at the GP Sven Nys Baal marked a defining moment for Emiel Verstrynge, who emerged encouraged rather than discouraged by the eventual gap to the world champion.

“I saw him riding and I felt good,” Verstrynge said afterwards in post-race comments collected by Sporza. “I thought: why not?” That confidence carried him through several laps alongside Mathieu van der Poel, a rare sight this season. “It didn’t feel great when he finally rode away, but I can only get better from that. It’s good that I could stay with him for a few laps and finish second.”

For long stretches, Verstrynge matched Van der Poel on the Balenberg, responding to accelerations and forcing the race deeper than many had expected.

The decisive move only came late, when Van der Poel raised the pace once more and finally broke free, going on to ride clear to his expected victory by 37 seconds ahead of Verstrynge at the finishing line.

Verstrynge also reflected positively on the dynamic between the two riders. “I could feel that Mathieu had the intention to take me along for a bit,” he explained. “There was a good understanding between us. That makes it enjoyable.”

Rather than focusing on the gap that eventually opened, Verstrynge framed the result as a step forward. “It’s good to start 2026 like this,” he said. “I go home satisfied.”

Second place in Baal may not have come with victory, but for Verstrynge it delivered something else: confirmation that, on the right day, he can measure himself against the very best.