A bit disappointing to see how Sven Nys sank the chances of Pim Ronhaar to score a podium result in the men's #Flandriencross in #Hamme.
Wout van Aert is the undisputed winner, crossing the finish line after 1 hour and 59secs. 2nd place for Eli Iserbyt 46sec, Vanthourenhout in 3rd at 51secs and Ronhaar in 4th at 1min06. Van der Haar in 5th at 1min31, conceding more time to Iserbyt in the overall standings of the #X2Obadkamerstrofee. #cyclocross
Two laps to go for Wout van Aert in the men's #Flandriencross in #Hamme. Pim Ronhaar in 2nd with Vanthourenhout in his wheel, Iserbyt chasing with some bike lengths. Ronhaar lifts his feet on the finishing straight, forcing Iserbyt and Vanthourenhout to take over. They are 1min13 back, and Lars van der Haar is just 8secs adrift. Sven Nys has told Pim Ronhaar not to pace the Pauwels Sauzen duo so van der Haar gets a chance to close that gap. #cyclocross
Six laps done, three laps to go in the men's #Flandriencross in #Hamme. Wout van Aert is riding a lonely race in the lead, Ronhaar, Vanthourenhout and Iserbyt at 1min04, Lars van der Haar inching in at 1min17 and Cameron Mason at 1min25. Can van der Haar close the gap to Iserbyt?
#cyclocros
51secs is the gap between race leader Wout van Aert and the chasing trio of Ronhaar, Vanthourenhout and Iserbyt after 5 laps at the men's #Flandriencross in #Hamme. Mason and van der Haar at 1min14. Ronhaar still looking strong in that chase group and on his way to his best result in an elite race so far. #cyclocross
And Wout van Aert has finished yet another lap in the men's #Flandriencross in #Hamme . The gap to 2nd placed Pim Ronhaar stands at 45secs, with Vanthourenhout and Iserbyt in tow. Mason at 1min02 and van der Haar at 1min04.
Ronhaar is riding a really strong race: The young Dutchman crashed after the barriers, but got back to first Iserbyt and then Vanthourenhout. And he looks stronger than Iserbyt, so a podium finish looks well within reach. #cyclocross
The race distance for the men at #Hamme's #Flandriencross will indeed be 9 laps.
After 3 laps and 20mins of racing, van Aert has 25secs to Vanthourenhout, Ronhaar and Iserbyt who profited from a slump in speed on the finishing straight to get back. Mason at 43secs, van der Haar at 47secs.
#cyclocross
Lap 3 of the men's #Flandriencross and Wout van Aert is on his own with a gap of 12secs to Pim Ronhaar, Michael Vanthourenhout and Eli Iserbyt. Cameron Mason has moved up to 5th, then Lars van der Haar, Vincent Baestaens and Thibau Nys.
#Hamme #cyclocross
A first acceleration in lap 2 of the men's #Flandriencross in #Hamme and Wout van Aert is putting the pressure on Vanthourenhout. Ronhaar has moved up to 3rd and Iserbyt is struggling to keep up but somehow still does so. Further back Lars van der Haar has crashed just when he seemed to get back into the mix. #cyclocross
Soete now has taken the lead with van Aert in his wheel, then Vanthourenhout, Iserbyt, Thibau Nys and Pim Ronhaar. Lars van der Haar needs to move up some positions after a slow start.
The first lap in the men's #Flandriencross in #Hamme has been ridden in less than 7mins, with Iserbyt taking the full bonifications on the line. Van der Haar 10secs back.
Race distance should be 9 laps rather than 8 seen the lap time, but let's see how the race jury decides. #cyclocross
Only 29 starters for the men's #Flandriencross in #Hamme: That really is a disappointing turnout. As for the fight for the overall standings in the #X2Obadkamerstrofee, keep an eye on leader Eli Iserbyt and Lars van der Haar.
Van Aert takes the lead from the first corner, Baestaens in 2nd. But as he gets a fresh bike in the tech zone, he drops back to 5th. #cyclocross