CYCLOCROSS | 29/12/2025 | 08:24
by Francesca Monzone
Wout van Aert was hard on himself yesterday: after the sixth place obtained in the Dendermonde race he felt a frustration that he hadn’t felt for a long time. The Belgian from Visma-Lease a Bike was evidently dissatisfied at the end of the race and did not hide his disappointment from the microphones of the media present. «I had come to win the race – said Van Aert annoyed – but I felt I didn’t have the best sensations».
The race was won by Nys ahead of Del Grosso and Sweeck and Van Aert, who after the good results obtained in the previous races was convinced he could cross the finish line in Dendermonde first, had to deal with a different reality.
«I must admit that it was a disappointment for me; it was a difficult race. Everything was so close, truly a race within my reach and the result could have been different».
Van Aert made his debut in Antwerp on December 20, finishing seventh in a race dominated by Mathieu van der Poel and later achieved two second places, again behind the Dutch champion. Yesterday in Dendermonde van der Poel did not compete and for this reason Van Aert thought he had a better chance of winning. «I feel sorry for myself because I came here to fight for victory and I never succeeded. It was almost impossible to separate oneself from the others; everyone has tried it at least once. I was more in the race in the second half, but with two laps to go I let myself get pushed too far back in the pack. For this reason, my race practically ended there.”
Thibau Nys made the real difference on the last lap, going on to win a race, which immediately proved to be more difficult than expected. «I struggled with the explosive accelerations that took place – continued Van Aert -. I didn’t have the best feeling. I couldn’t do it today and I hope that things can improve in the next few days.”
The Belgian will return to racing today at the X²O Badkamers Trofee Azencross – Loenhout, where he will meet up with Van der Poel, Nys, Sweeck and Aerts. Following this, the Flemish will race in Mol on January 2nd and then again on the 4th in the Zonhoven World Cup stage before taking part in the national championships on January 10th. “THE National championships will be an important event and then we’ll see if it will be possible to include one or two more races, but without affecting the preparation for the road season.”
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