Michael Vanthourenhout sprints to World Cup Dublin win ahead of Aerts & Orts in thrilling sprint finale

Michael Vanthourenhout has taken victory at the World Cup Dublin round this Sunday afternoon in Ireland in a thrilling finale that saw six elite riders go head to head in a sprint for the line.

Laurens Sweeck had a nightmare start, dropping right down the field. Michael Boros had one of the better starts in the field, but after the Czech rider crashed on the beams, he spectacularly brought down a number of riders as he tried to stand up and get back on his bike, most notably European champion Thibau Nys. After spending some considerable time laying in a heap at the side of the course, Nys did eventually get gingerly back onto his bike, although his hopes of victory were dashed.

Over the next lap or so, things were notable calmer at the front following this crash. The next rider to start to accelerate at the head of the race though was Joran Wyseure on lap 3 but was ultimately unable to snap the elastic. Michael Vanthourenhout had a moment of stress with a broken shoe, but using all his experience managed to get into the pits, change shoe and back on the bike without losing too much time.

On lap 5, Vanthourenhout, then launched a brutal attack at the front as teammate Eli Iserbyt attempted his typical role of spoiler behind, trying to interrupt the chase as much as possible. Pim Ronhaar and Wyseure were working hard to get Vanthourenhout back, with a six-man pack of Vanthourenhout, Ronhaar, Iserbyt, Wyseure, Toon Aerts and Felipe Orts regrouping at the front.

On the penultimate lap, World Cup leader Eli Iserbyt then emerged at the front, snapping out of corners with that trademark acceleration. The group was still together as they took the bell for the last lap though, with a thrilling finale in store. Iserbyt still held the lead position, but after an error from the Belgian midway through the lap, Vanthourenhout and Aerts both came around. As they entered the road section for the final time, Vanthourenhout held off the sprint from Aerts to take victory as Orts completed the podium.