Results Exact Cross Heerderstrand Men's | Joris Nieuwenhuis hunts down Pim Ronhaar to take first victory of the season

Joris Nieuwenhuis claimed his first win of the 2025–26 cyclocross season with a perfectly timed chase at the Exact Cross Heerde. After spending much of the race pursuing long-time leader Pim Ronhaar, the Ridley Racing Team rider made his move in the closing lap, powering past his compatriot to secure victory on a slippery, rain-soaked course. Ronhaar settled for second.

Niels Vandeputte made the fastest start on the treacherous Heerde circuit, while Felipe Orts encountered early problems. Pim Ronhaar and Joris Nieuwenhuis soon moved to the fore alongside Toon Vandebosch, with the Dutch riders dictating the early pace through the mud and sand.

Ronhaar seized the initiative midway through the opening laps, jumping clear of Nieuwenhuis to open a gap that quickly grew to more than ten seconds. Behind him, Vandebosch organised the chase as the rain intensified and conditions deteriorated, while Corsus emerged as the best of the Belgian contingent.

At halfway, Ronhaar still led by thirteen seconds as Nieuwenhuis began to find his rhythm. Lap by lap the gap shrank, the Baloise Trek Lions rider handling the corners more smoothly and carrying extra momentum through the sand. With two laps to go the difference was down to three seconds, and by the start of the final circuit Nieuwenhuis had finally made contact.

He wasted little time in striking — diving up the inside to take control in the woods before stretching the elastic on the next run through the sand. Ronhaar briefly fought to hold the wheel, but a small error proved costly as Nieuwenhuis rode clear. From there the 28-year-old stayed mistake-free to clinch his first victory of the campaign, while Ronhaar held off the fast-finishing Corsus to secure second place.

It was a commanding display of perseverance and race craft from Nieuwenhuis, who confirmed his return to winning form on a day when Dutch riders once again dominated the podium.