A dominant display in Lokeren as Joris takes another win

For many cyclocross fans, the season really starts with the Koppenberg Cross in Oudenaarde at the first of November. It's one of the classics on the calendar and a big showdown every year. One day later, we we're heading to Lokeren. Both races are part of the X2O Badkamers Trophy, so this was an important weekend for the general classifcation right away.

X2O BadkamersTrofee

The Mighty Koppenberg

The "Bult van Melden" is one of Belgium's thoughest hills. Every year, the best WorldTour pro's suffer on the climb during the Tour of Flanders and on the first of November, it's up to the cyclocross riders. The race also meant the comeback of Thibau Nys and he was immediately on of the main favourites.

The race started furious and it showed that it would become a hard race. For a long while, Joris was riding on the verge of a top 10 spot. Felipe had the same issues as last weekend and together with Sports Director Richard Groenendaal, he decided to call it quits.

Joris had a strong couple of last laps and slowly he was gaining some spots again. As the X2O Trophy is a classification based on the timings of each rider, it was important to keep riding. He tried to limit his losses and he finished the race in 8th position, 2'38" behind a strong Thibau Nys. It definitely wasn't our best day out, but new chances on Sunday in Lokeren.

Commanding win in Lokeren

The spirits were high to turn things around in Lokeren and Joris already felt during the recon that this was a lap that would suit him. Still starting on the second row, Joris didn't had the best start and it was hard to gain a lot of spots on this lap.

Once he made his way to the front, he could start to develop a very high pace. It was only Michael Vanthourenhout who could follow for a while, but even he had to let Joris go a bit after 30 minutes into this race. Lap after lap, Joris was able to gain time on all the competitors and he got himself into a comfortable lead. Even a little crash in the penultimate lap couldn't stop him. He got the win over the line and had all the time to celebrate his second victory of the season. Today's dominant display also meant that he takes the lead in the X2O Badkamers Trophy. The next round of this classification is in Hamme in two weeks.

Felipe did had a good start in Lokeren but after the first two laps he was losing ground. He continued the race and finished in 21st position, but the feeling wasn't good for the fourth race in a row. Felipe will head back to Spain where he will undergo examinations so that we can find an explanation for the weaker feelings.

Next week, there's a jersey up for grabs with the European Championships in Middelkerke. See you there!