"I thought the race was over..." - Michael Vanthourenhout takes the win in Namur after last lap disaster for Toon Aerts

In the most dramatic of fashions, World Cup leader Michael Vanthourenhout extended his advantage in the overall standings by taking a thrilling victory in Namur ahead of Toon Aerts.

That doesn't quite tell the whole story though, heading into the finale, Vanthourenhout found himself a few bike lengths down on Aerts, looking consigned to second place. On the brutal off-camber section of the Namur course though, Aerts lost his footing and slipped into the barriers, allowing Vanthourenhout to come flying past and taking the dramatic victory.

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"I've had luck on my side the last few weeks. Maybe it means you’re in good shape, when luck is on your side,” Vanthourenhout reacted afterwards. "I thought the race was over... But there was still a very difficult sloping side, where I took a very good line. Toon fell in front of me, so after that I went full throttle to the finish."

As mentioned, this also further re-affirms Vanthourenhout's overall lead in the World Cup standings. “The ranking is very important to me. There are still a few World Cups to come and the coming weeks Hulst and Zonhoven are very difficult for me, so we'll see,” he concludes.

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