Results Superprestige Gullegem | Niels Vandeputte outmanoeuvres Michael Vanthourenhout to seal late victory as snow reshapes finale

The men’s Superprestige race in Gullegem developed into a tactical battle shaped as much by snowfall and timing as by raw power, with Niels Vandeputte producing the decisive move in the final lap to take victory ahead of Michael Vanthourenhout.

From the opening lap, Joris Nieuwenhuis took responsibility at the front, setting an assertive early tempo alongside Vandeputte. The first separation came through the sand, where a reduced lead group formed containing Joran Wyseure, Vanthourenhout and Kevin Kuhn, while a crash for Witse Meeussen thinned the chasing pack and removed one potential contender.

The race opened up after the second sand passage when Gerben Kuypers launched a solo move, briefly carving out a small advantage. Behind him, Pauwels Sauzen–Altez Industriebouw immediately imposed team control. Vanthourenhout neutralised counter moves from Vandeputte, ensuring the chase remained measured rather than chaotic.

As snowfall intensified, Kuypers’ advantage began to evaporate. Vandeputte led the regrouping effort, with Vanthourenhout, Wyseure and Nieuwenhuis all returning to the front. Nieuwenhuis then moved to dictate the pace himself, forcing Kuypers onto the defensive and shifting the race into a phase defined by positioning rather than constant attacks.

With conditions fluctuating and snow showers returning intermittently, Vanthourenhout assumed control in the closing laps. A sustained acceleration allowed him to edge clear with Wyseure initially the only rider able to respond. Nieuwenhuis briefly slid off line but limited the damage and reattached himself to the leading group.

The decisive moment came in the final lap. Vanthourenhout led into the last technical sections, but Vandeputte remained composed in his wheel. First, Vandeputte surged past on foot, forcing Vanthourenhout to respond. Moments later, a second acceleration proved decisive. Vanthourenhout could not match it, and Vandeputte quickly opened a winning gap.

Behind the leading duo, Wyseure faded from contention as Nieuwenhuis clawed his way back into the fight, underlining his resilience after earlier setbacks.

In the end, Gullegem rewarded patience over persistence. Vandeputte timed his effort perfectly, turning a tightly controlled race into a late triumph as snow, strategy and stamina combined to decide the Superprestige outcome.