Joris Nieuwenhuis claimed victory at the Exact Cross Heerderstrand. The 29-year-old Dutchman from Ridley Racing Team rode nearly the entire race chasing Pim Ronhaar but overtook his fellow countryman in the final lap. The 19-year-old Belgian Yordi Corsus surprised with a strong third place.
After the Kiremko Night of Woerden on Tuesday evening, Saturday was time for an Exact Cross on Dutch soil. At Heerde, a true sand cross awaited favorites like Laurens Sweeck, Niels Vandeputte, Joris Nieuwenhuis, Pim Ronhaar, and Felipe Orts.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2025 |  Joris Nieuwenhuis |
| 2024 |  Eli Iserbyt |
| 2023 | Niels Vandeputte |
As the name of the cross – Internationale Cyclocross Heerderstrand – suggests, the recreation area Heerderstrand hosted this cyclocross. Around the swimming pond, there was a combination of some paved sections, a few passages through sand, and more technical parts through the park and grass.
On paper, you might call it a sand cross, but inquiries with the organization taught us that it wasn’t that simple to draw that conclusion. “Don’t be mistaken: this is not sand like in Alphen or along the Scheldt in Antwerp. It’s very abrasive sand where you can ride through for a maximum of about ten meters,” said Bert Jan Hamer from the organization before the race.
Bad start for Orts, Ronhaar and Nieuwenhuis create a gap
After his impressive win in Woerden, many eyes were on Felipe Orts. The Spanish champion had never started a cyclocross season this well before and hoped to continue that form. But his start had to be better than last year’s start. In the 2024 edition, Nieuwenhuis’s teammate crashed in the first corner.
However, that good start didn’t come this year either. The Spaniard was positioned at the front, but within no time found himself swallowed by the peloton because he had trouble clipping into his pedal after the start gun. Fortunately for the man in form, he quickly rejoined the lead group of riders. Still, he couldn’t prevent his teammate Nieuwenhuis and Pim Ronhaar from opening a small gap.
Ronhaar launches an attack
The latter launched a solo attack in the second lap of the race. Just like in Woerden, Ronhaar made the strongest impression in the early part of the race. In the chasing group, riders like Vandeputte, Toon Vandebosch, and Yordi Corsus were mostly watching Nieuwenhuis. The experienced Dutchman had to take on the chase, but he couldn’t stop Ronhaar from holding a 15-second lead at the start of the third lap.
Ronhaar in action - photo: archive photo agency Cor Vos
The runner-up from the Kiremko Night of Woerden didn’t seem willing to give up any of his lead. On the contrary: he gradually extended his advantage. Due to the sudden rainfall, Nieuwenhuis felt forced to change tires in the chasing group, and the other pursuers seemed unable to keep pace with leader Ronhaar.
Nieuwenhuis closing in
But the race was not decided yet. After his bike change, Nieuwenhuis made an excellent impression and pulled away from his chasing companions. The 29-year-old Ridley Racing Team rider rapidly reduced the gap to Ronhaar. At the start of the seventh lap, the difference had shrunk to just three seconds, while the other chasers also came closer.
Nieuwenhuis had to settle for second place after a sprint in Ruddervoorde - photo: photo agency Cor Vos
When the bell rang for the final lap, Nieuwenhuis had succeeded in bridging up to Ronhaar. The two Dutchmen seemed set for a duel for the win. Or was Corsus still a factor? The Belgian rode nine seconds behind, so there was no time upfront to watch each other!
Nieuwenhuis didn’t need to be told twice. The experienced Dutchman proved much stronger than Ronhaar in the final lap and claimed his first victory of the season. Meanwhile, Corsus closed in on Ronhaar, but the latter’s second place was no longer threatened.
Exact Cross - Heerde| Rank | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 57:14 | |
| 2 | + 09 | |
| 3 | + 16 | |
| 4 | + 28 | |
| 5 | + 33 | |
| 6 | + 39 | |
| 7 | + 49 | |
| 8 | + 01:14 | |
| 9 | + 01:21 | |
| 10 | + 01:29 |
