Cyclocross is back!

driesgrosemans
6 okt
2 minuten om te lezen

With the road- and gravel seasons almost coming to an end, this can only mean one thing: cyclocross is making it's return. Meulebeke took the honours this year, with the first Exact Cross of this campaign. Joris Nieuwenhuis and Felipe Orts lined up for our team and achieved encouraging results.

Credits: Exact Cross

High speed battle

Despite the heavy rain that swept across Belgium on Saturday, this had no impact on the course at all. The parcours stayed very fast and it soon became clear that it would be difficult to make a difference.

Joris Nieuwenhuis had a very good start in Meulebeke and looked strong. In the first half of the race, he was always attentive at the front and tried to make a breakaway a couple of times. Unfortunately, it didn't work out as guys like Vanthourenhout and Vandebosch closed the small gaps. Felipe Orts was sitting in the wheels in the first part of the race as he needed some more time to properly get into his rhythm.

Credits: Exact Cross

And Felipe did get into the rhythm. After big attacks from Vanthourenhout and Wyseure, it was Felipe who took his chance. He launched an attack an got away with Vanthourenhout and Sweeck. The three of them rode together for one and a half lap but eventually they got caught again. Immediately after they got caught, Wyseure slipped away. Our boys didn't have an answer at that moment and his teammates did a good job managing the rest of the group, resulting in a win for Wyseure.

Joris and Felipe left it all out there in the final lap and they rolled in 4th and 8th respectively. "Especially in the beginning, I felt quite in control. The first race of the season is always a strange one because you don't know how the others are and you're always a bit checking and insecure in the race." Joris told us after the race. "A bit after halfway, I made a little mistake and I was a bit further in the bunch. Towards the end, I felt good but not great and a fourth is just good. I'm happy with that and happy to start again. The feeling is good."

Felipe was glad that the season started as well: "Finally, the first race. I'm happy because I was strong during the second part of the race. I tried to battle for the win but 8th place it is in the end. I think it's a good result because I was in the fight for the win and we will try again in the next race in Ardooie."