"Technically it was not my best cross" - Eli Iserbyt second in Maasmechelen despite a number of mistakes

After his heavy criticism of the Maasmechelen course last year, Eli Iserbyt was once again in the thick of drama at the latest UCI World Cup round.

Unlike last year though, Iserbyt's frustrations were focused on himself this time around rather than the course itself. "There was a lot of sliding today, but it wasn't dangerous; After all, we know what we are doing," he explains in his post-race interview. "I often made mistakes on the short climbs and even fell. Technically it was not my best cross. Although the feeling was quite good."

Despite the mistakes, Iserbyt was still able to come home in second place behind eventual winner Lars van der Haar. A positive result taking all things into consideration. "Lars was very strong," Iserbyt praises. "I made a lot of little mistakes myself. I think I was the second or third strongest man in the race. It was also a very difficult cross, but in the end I am satisfied with the result."

"Lars rode very well. It is not easy to build up such a lead on this course. That says he was the best today," Iserbyt concludes.