Results Azencross Loenhout | Van der Poel untouchable again as Van Aert duel ends in puncture-fuelled anticlimax

Mathieu van der Poel delivered another commanding performance to win the men’s race at the X2O Trofee Azencross Loenhout, but what initially promised to be a classic duel turned into an anticlimax after repeated punctures for Wout van Aert.

The opening laps were chaotic rather than selective. Mechanical issues, frequent bike changes and a fast but manageable pace kept a large group together, with Joris Nieuwenhuis, Toon Aerts and Niels Vandeputte prominent early on. Both Van der Poel and Van Aert had to recover from disrupted starts, but gradually worked their way into position as the race settled.

The race finally ignited midway through the third lap. Van Aert was the first to force the issue, lifting the tempo decisively and drawing only Van der Poel with him. Nieuwenhuis and the rest of the contenders were quickly distanced as the elastic snapped, setting up the head-to-head many had been waiting for.

For a brief spell, Loenhout delivered exactly that. Van Aert and Van der Poel traded turns at high speed, riding aggressively and opening a clear gap. On the short climbs and rolling sections, Van der Poel looked increasingly comfortable, while Van Aert was forced to ride closer to his limit.

The duel ended abruptly early in the fourth lap. Van Aert appeared to suffer a puncture, losing time rapidly on the Brechtseweg while unable to immediately reach the material post. By the end of the lap, the gap had ballooned beyond 20 seconds. When Van Aert finally changed bikes, Van der Poel was already riding alone at the front.

Misfortune compounded soon after, with Van Aert later suffering a second puncture. Reduced to damage limitation, he slipped steadily down the order and eventually fell outside the top ten, his race effectively over despite showing strong form earlier.

Out front, Van der Poel capitalised ruthlessly. Riding smooth, controlled laps, he extended his advantage beyond 40 seconds and was able to manage the race rather than force it. As the bell rang for the final lap, he remained error-free, sealing a record sixth victory in Loenhout and maintaining his perfect record at the venue.

Behind him, Niels Vandeputte emerged as the clear best of the rest to secure second place, while the fight for the final podium spot played out among the chasers.

What began as a marquee duel ultimately became a reminder of how unforgiving cyclocross can be. Van der Poel was flawless when the opportunity arose, while Van Aert’s challenge was undone by equipment misfortune on a course that leaves no margin for error.