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15.30 Another very fast lap just finished, Van Aert crosses the finish line having lapped in 7’49 “.
15.29 Van der Poel sets off in pursuit of his Belgian rival, who gains a few more meters by deciding not to change bikes
15.27 Real attack by Wout Van Aert who takes a few seconds on the two opponents!
15.25 Very important phase of the race, with Van der Poel losing a few meters especially in the stretches on foot, where Van Aert can make the difference.
15.24 Now it’s up to Van Aert to change the mechanical means.
15.23 Now it is Van Aert who tries to increase the pace, even taking advantage of a small indecision on the climb by Aerts.
15.22 Concluded the second lap in 7’54 “. The first pursuers of the trio are Vanthournehout and Hermans, also protagonist of a small crash.
15.21 Bike change for Aerts and Van der Poel, Van Aert does not change and thus a leading trio is formed.
15.19 Toon Aerts tries to take a little advantage, while behind him forms the couple we all expected, Mathieu Van der Poel and Wout Van Aert!
15.18 The two Azzurri in the race, Gioele Bertolini and Jakob Dorigoni, are currently in 21st and 22nd position respectively
15.16 The leading couple, Toon Aerts – Mathieu Van der Poel, took a few seconds ahead of their rivals, led by the Belgian champion Van Aert, who has just changed bikes.
15.14 Concluded the first lap in 8’03 “. Aerts in the lead ahead of Van der Poel, followed by Van Aert, Iserbyt, Hermans and Vanthourenhout.
15.13 Already bike change for Toon Aerts and Quinten Hermans, Van der Poel goes straight instead, as well as Van Aert, Iserbyt and Pidcock
15.11 Always Aerts in the lead, tries to take advantage of Hermans, Baestaens and Van der Poel, who overtook Iserbyt, moving to fourth position.
15.10 The route is one of the hardest of the season, full of stretches to do on foot, on mud and sand. The rain that preceded the race made the track even more challenging.
15.08 Eighth position currently occupied by the World Champion, behind his brother David Van der Poel and in front of his great rival Van Aert.
15.07 Toon Aerts shoots in front of everyone, followed by Vincent Baestaens, Iserbyt and Hermans.
15.06 Rocket start for Van der Poel, who has already reached the very first positions of the group.
15.05 AND PART!
15.04 Among the great protagonists there will obviously also be the very strong British Tom Pidcock, winner in Rucphen eight days ago, and ready to challenge the two giants.
15.02 Composition of the starting grid completed. In the front row we find the great protagonists of this season, such as Eli Iserbyt, leader of the general, Toon Aerts, Michael Vanthourenhout and Quinten Hermans, all winners of at least one race this year.
14.59 Runners starting to arrive on the course, the atmosphere seems to be that of the great events.
14.57 Preparations for this post-Christmas competition are almost complete. Departure scheduled for 15.05. Despite being one of the most anticipated races of the year, there are no spectators on the course due to health restrictions imposed by the Belgian government.
14.55 Last year in Dendermonde, Belgium, was a real triumphal march for the host Van Aert, who crossed the line in first place with a good 2’49 ”advantage over his great rival.
14.53 After a long wait, the day of the first duel between Wout Van Aert and Mathieu Van der Poel has finally arrived! The Dutchman makes his Cup debut today after an injury kept him away from racing for longer than expected.
14.51 Hello and welcome to LIVE LIVE of the Dendermonde Cyclocross, valid appointment for the twelfth round of the men’s World Cup season.
THE PRESENTATION OF THE DENDERMONDE RACE
MEN’S CICLOCROSS WORLD CUP GENERAL RANKING
Good morning friends of OA Sport and welcome to LIVE LIVE of the twelfth round of the 2021/22 cyclocross World Cup season! If you run to Dendermonde, Belgium for the classic Christmas event in East Flanders.
For all Cyclocross fans there could not be a better gift under the tree, as today’s race will present, for the first time this season, the duel that has inflamed the two-wheeled landscape in recent years, the titanic challenge between the two rulers on the mud and beyond, we are obviously talking about the two phenomena Wout Van Aert and Mathieu Van der Poel! The latter will make his seasonal debut today, after a knee injury that kept him away from racing for longer than expected, while the Belgian has already raced (and won) two races, first Boom’s Superprestige and then the already legendary race on the snow of Val di Sole.
Although the world champion Van der Poel has admitted that he is not yet at his best, we are sure that it will be fun, as always happens when the two of them are protagonists. Waiting for every slightest mistake of the two obligatory favorites, there will be the British Tom Pidcock, who is trying to carve out the always fascinating role of third wheel. Finally, the great protagonists of this season will not be missing, unfortunately overshadowed on this occasion by the great shadow that the two giants draw, starting from Cup leader Eli Iserbyt, very close to victory in the overall when there are only four races left on the calendar. Gioele Bertolini and Jakob Dorigoni will be at the start to defend the blue colors.
The race will start at 15.05 and, despite lacking the public due to health restrictions, the appointment is truly one of those not to be missed. OA Sport will update you in real time on all the developments of the race, stay with us so as not to miss a minute of the spectacular race from Dendermonde!
Foto LiveMedia / DPPI / Fabien Boukla
