Michael Vantourenhout "didn't expect" first win of the season on opening cross at Kruibeke

The opening day of the cyclocross season for the main riders in the pack took place this Sunday in Kruibeke, and Michael Vanthourenhout has started the season off strongly to feature in the top step of the race.

“Actually, I didn't expect it. I didn't have a great feeling for the season. It's great to start like this. Before the race it might have been a six, now it's an eight. I can build on this," the Pauwels Sauzen - Bingoal rider said at the finish. “In the beginning I had a pretty good feeling, but when Laurens [Sweeck] continued, I had a bit of a hard time. All in all I was able to participate in the wheel. Then Eli [Iserbyt] tried something and I felt that there was still something to it. I just kept going at my own pace. I had to go all the way. This is not a course that lends itself to saving you. It was full throttle from start to finish," he described.

Vanthourenhout attacked towards the final laps of the race and got a winning gap, keeping the success flowing to the Belgian team following the win of teammate Fem Van Empel in the women's field. Eli Iserbyt rode to second place on the day to further deepen the celebrations.

The muddy course however was a challenge for the 28-year old: “That made me a little nervous. You have to pay attention throughout the cross, the sloping side was difficult. I rode my own lines, then I knew that 25 seconds should normally be enough," he concluded.