"It was in the heat of the battle" - Eli Iserbyt reacts to disqualification from Exact Cross Beringen due to stamp

Belgian national champion Eli Iserbyt was one of the favourites for victory as the cyclocross winter kicked off in earnest on Saturday afternoon in Beringen. Sadly though, it all ended in disappointment as the 26-year-old was disqualified after lashing out at Ryan Kamp following a crash.

There flashpoint came midway through the race as Iserbyt and Kamp almost came to physical blows after the crash, with the former even stomping hard on the latter's bike and then remonstrating angrily afterwards. A lap or so later, Iserbyt was spotted by cameras being spoken to by race commissaires.

The result of that conversation with those in charge was a disappointing disqualification Before the Belgian stormed off the course however, host broadcasters Sporza managed to grab a quick reaction from the still seething but a little more reflective Iserbyt.

"He didn't have to push me to the side, although my reaction was unnecessary," Iserbyt explained in his initial post-race response, admitting he could have handled things in a better way. "It was in the heat of the battle. I stamped after a verbal reaction from Ryan, but my reaction was unnecessary."

In the end, victory on the day went to Lars van der Haar who prevailed after timing his acceleration to perfection on the final lap to overtake European champion Michael Vanthourenhout.