"I've been struggling but I wanted one more win this winter" - Michael Vanthourenhout passes the exam in Brussels Universities Cyclocross
Cyclocross
What a nice way to wrap up this winter for Michael Vanthourenhout who was able to raise his hands one more time at the final round of the X2O Badkamers Trophee. Against strong Joris Nieuwenhuis, the Belgian played his cards perfectly to secure his fifth seasonal victory in Brussels Universities Cyclocross.
"I felt that Joris was just a little bit better," Vanthourenout admitted afterwards. Aware of his own weakness, the Belgian tried to play his cards in the best way possible and let his Dutch opponent dictate the pace while saving his own strength for a final push.
"I let him do the work every now and then so that I could make a move at the end," he explains. "Everything had to happen in the last lap, because we couldn't get rid of each other. I'm glad that I came out on top."
The last weeks were not ideal for Vanthourenhout was unable to make ends meet after his second place in Hulst World Cup at the end of January. This victory therefore comes as a pleasant bonus at the end of the season. "I've been struggling a bit since the World Championship, but I told my entourage that I wanted one more win: Brussels. It's great that that worked out."
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Results of the Brussels Universities Cyclocross:
| Position | Rider | Time |
| 01 | Vanthourenhout Michael | 01:01:44 |
| 02 | Nieuwenhuis Joris | + 08 |
| 03 | van der Haar Lars | + 41 |
| 04 | Iserbyt Eli | + 01:07 |
| 05 | Vandeputte Niels | + 01:10 |
| 06 | Orts Lloret Felipe | + 01:35 |
| 07 | Aerts Toon | + 02:03 |
| 08 | Michels Jente | + 02:05 |
| 09 | Mason Cameron | + 02:09 |
| 10 | Ferdinande Anton | + 02:36 |
Final standings of the X2O Badkamers Trophee 2024/25:
| Position | Rider | Total time |
| 1 | Iserbyt Eli | 8:07:46 |
| 2 | Aerts Toon | 3:38 |
| 3 | Ronhaar Pim | 8:13 |
| 4 | van der Haar Lars | 9:02 |
| 5 | Vandeputte Niels | 11:02 |
| 6 | Vanthourenhout Michael | 11:12 |
| 7 | Sweeck Laurens | 12:34 |
| 8 | Vandebosch Toon | 13:06 |
| 9 | Michels Jente | 18:46 |
| 10 | Adams Jens | 19:48 |
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