Toon Aerts on his first win in almost 3 years - "I had actually given up a few times in my head"

Toon Aerts had last won a cyclocross race on the 6th February 2022. It took him almost three years, after a two-year suspension, to get back to the top of the podium in his favourite discipline but it has finally happened! The Belgian was the victory of the Otegem Cross this afternoon against tough competition.

“I had to race really hard for it, because I was not there at the beginning, but this is a nice feeling again," Aerts said in words to VRT Nieuws.“I had actually given up a few times in my head, but I kept cheering myself up: ‘don't cry’. "That's how I got back into the leading group and was able to sprint for the win".  

Read also

Toon Aerts takes his first win in years! Double Belgian win in Otegem as Sanne Cant wins women's race

Aerts' last victory had been at the 2022 Lille Krawatencross and ever since he was suspended for two years after testing positive for Letrozole, and returned to competition last February. This winter he's been on a roll, currently sitting second in the World Cup and also the X2O Badkamers Trofee. He had finished second on a few races including the Dublin, Namur and Besançon World Cups, but today finally it was his day.

He chased down a group containing the likes of Laurens Sweeck and Eli Iserbyt in the fast Belgian cross, and in the final minutes of the race he was the strongest, putting in an impressive display to win for Deschacht - Hens - FSP.

"I still remember that I was able to ride away from the first meters there. That's a feeling I've missed for a long time. Yesterday at the Belgian Championship I actually felt good, and today those legs came back at the end. Then it's great to win in such a sprint. I went full throttle again and got back into the race despite a fall, to then finish it off nicely in the sprint. I'm working towards the World Championship. I also went to Spain for that last week. I hope that will pay off now," he concluded.

Read also

Where is Mathieu van der Poel? Alpecin-Deceuninck boss shares update on World Champion's return to cyclocross

"Wout could live in Monaco, drive a red Ferrari, or cruise around and get a tan in Calpe" - Van Aert's attitude praised following first cyclocross victories of the winter

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Unlock your ultimate cycling experience—subscribe today for access to the latest cycling news

Subscribe