"It's nice that I can tame the demons for once" - Eli Iserbyt finally gets his hands on Belgian national title

Finally, for the first time in his career, Eli Iserbyt has got his hands on the Belgian Cyclocross National Championship jersey after taking a thrilling victory on Sunday afternoon.

"It was choosing lines and focusing. It was also stone cold," Iserbyt reacts in his post-race interview. Cold is not the kind of weather that the Pauwels Sauzen - Bingoal star usually does well in either. "It's nice that I can tame the demons for once, because I've been tamed a lot myself."

For someone of Iserbyt's immense quality, the lack of a national title had been a glaring omission from his palmares. Now though, it's finally been added. "In the beginning of the race I was a bit too hot and didn't get into my rhythm well. When I started to get a bit colder, it was good," he recaps. "I chose my own lines and put pressure on everyone. I felt that they weren't coming over to take position. Then I did think everyone was through, which was the moment for me to pull through."

The battle for the front was tight for a long time with Iserbyt competing against the likes of Joran Wyseure, Michael Vanthourenhout and Thibau Nys. With just over two laps to go though, the Belgian powered towards victory.

"Merci to Michael Vanthourenhout. We have a lot of support from each other, we lift each other to a higher level. He hasn't had it easy, just like me the past few weeks. Fortunately, it comes out at the right time. There are still goals this season, but I can enjoy this. Tomorrow is my home cross in Otegem five minutes from my door, ideal," Iserbyt concludes.