Joris Nieuwenhuis extends lead in X2O Trophy, but battle is far from over

It all unfolded in the shadow of a dominant Mathieu van der Poel, but Joris Nieuwenhuis made significant gains in the fight for the overall victory in the X2O Badkamers Trofee at Hofstade. The Dutchman managed to extend his lead over Cameron Mason. Among the women, Lucinda Brand is simply unstoppable. WielerFlits summarizes the standings.

Nieuwenhuis started Monday as the leader of the X2O Badkamers Trofee entering the fourth round in Hofstade, Belgium. After the previous X2O-cross in Hamme, the gap between Nieuwenhuis and his closest rival Cameron Mason was only 24 seconds. Third place was held by Nys, 42 seconds behind the leader. Niels Vandeputte and Lars van der Haar rounded out the top 5.

Following the race in Hofstade, Nieuwenhuis and Mason remain first and second in the overall classification, but the gap between the two has now widened to exactly forty seconds in favor of the Dutch rider. Nys is still third in the standings and, given his deficit of just 43 seconds, can still dream of overall victory.

Among the women, the cards are already stacked. Lucinda Brand is on course for the overall win. The Dutch powerhouse has won all the rounds so far and leads after Hofstade by over nine (!) minutes ahead of Manon Bakker and Inge van der Heijden.