"It's a bit reminiscent of ten, fifteen years ago. It was a real cross" - third Eli Iserbyt thinks of the muddy Koppenbergcross

Eli Iserbyt had to settle for third place in the Koppenbergcross. It is the first time this season that the Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal rider does not finish among the top two.

"It's a bit of a disappointment, especially for the win," he said in the flash interview afterwards. "I collided with two super strong riders here," Iserbyt refers to Lars van der Haar and winner Thibau Nys. "I certainly had my mind set here. But it just wasn't good enough."

"What was it like on the road? Slip, slide. It was about being yourself and trying not to make mistakes. It was a super difficult edition. This cross has never been so difficult for me. Of course, I've always had very dry editions. It's a bit reminiscent of ten, fifteen years ago. It was a real cross."

The European Championships are scheduled for next Sunday. What does the Koppenbergcross say about that race? "It means you have to have recovered, because this was quite a difficult cross. Anyone who starts on Sunday with this cross in their legs will be at a bit of a disadvantage. But those are the choices you make. And we love to race."