The first weeks of the cyclocross season did not go as planned for Laurens Sweeck, but on Tuesday the Belgian showed he still hasn’t lost his winning touch. The Crelan-Corendon rider won the Superprestige race in Niel after an electrifying finale and a photo-finish sprint, just edging out Niels Vandeputte. Michael Vanthourenhout took third place and remains the points leader in the standings.
Only two days after the European Championships in Middelkerke, the cyclocross circuit was back in action. In Niel, riders lined up for a true cyclocross classic: the Jaarmarktcross—always held on Armistice Day—boasts a rich heritage. The inaugural edition dates back more than sixty years, to November 11, 1963, making the Niel race one of the oldest still on the current calendar.
Toon Aerts shines in his European champion’s jersey - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
In recent years, Niel has consistently been the first cyclocross race where European champions debut their new jersey, and 2025 was no exception. Many eyes among the elite men were on Toon Aerts. The Belgian had to push to the limit in Middelkerke to deny Thibau Nys the European championship, but the Baloise Glowi Lions rider was absent from this event. The other usual suspects did appear, including Michael Vanthourenhout, Pim Ronhaar, and Joris Nieuwenhuis.
The pace is on from the start
Another top cyclocrosser, Laurens Sweeck, is currently not enjoying the best season of his career. Yet his start in Niel was promising. The Belgian from Crelan-Corendon entered the field first but was overtaken in the sandpit by several riders, including Kevin Kuhn. The Swiss national champion led the charge early on, stretching the field out. Further back, after a poor start, were Pim Ronhaar, Toon Aerts, and Felipe Orts.
In other words, these riders were forced onto the back foot from an early stage, especially as there was no tactical bluffing at the front. After Kuhn’s rapid start, Joris Nieuwenhuis launched a strong attack entering the second lap. The Dutchman—clearly seeking redemption after being a major disappointment at the recent European Championships—put his cards on the table early. However, his first attack was quickly snuffed out, and shortly after he vanished without a trace.
Michael Vanthourenhout applies pressure - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
Elite group forms with Vanthourenhout as Nieuwenhuis struggles
As Nieuwenhuis suffered an inexplicable setback, three other riders joined forces in an effort to break away from the pack: Michael Vanthourenhout, Niels Vandeputte, and Laurens Sweeck. Their gap to the first chasing duo, Jente Michels and Emiel Verstrynge, grew to nearly ten seconds. Just behind, a group formed that included Ronhaar, Orts, and Cameron Mason.
Nieuwenhuis was nowhere to be seen at this point. The Ridley rider made one mistake after another, eventually dropping back into the chasing group alongside a similarly struggling Aerts, about forty seconds off the race lead. Up front, Vanthourenhout, Sweeck, and Vandeputte matched each other stride for stride. Vanthourenhout repeatedly shook up the race, but his two compatriots held firm for the time being.
Vandeputte breaks clear
Was this the setup for a thrilling three-rider battle for the win? With the first chasers Michels, Verstrynge, and Vandebosch still within reach, the race was wide open. However, a costly slip by Vanthourenhout in the seventh lap suddenly gave Vandeputte a substantial advantage. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider sensed his moment and opened up the throttle, but Sweeck and Vanthourenhout weren’t ready to give up without a fight.
Vandeputte briefly leads solo - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
Even stronger, Vanthourenhout closed the gap again with a smooth and powerful run through the sand, with Sweeck glued to his wheel—setting the stage for an all-out showdown. The decisive moment had to come in the eighth and final lap. With the group reunited, the pace briefly eased, allowing Verstrynge to join them. The young Belgian caught up at the beginning of the last lap but didn’t have the chance to push further forward.
In the crucial sand section, Vanthourenhout launched another attack, seemingly ready to make a race-winning move. Sweeck and Vandeputte briefly dropped behind, but Sweeck showed grit and managed to bridge back. A fresh acceleration came soon after, this time from Vandeputte, whose sharp attacks cracked Vanthourenhout, though the tenacious and lightning-fast Sweeck held tight to his wheel.
What an intense finale!
Ultimately, the win had to be decided in a sprint. Vandeputte led out the sprint from the front, but Sweeck came alongside and edged past him in the final meters, with the gap at the line razor-thin. That was enough for Sweeck to claim his first victory of the season, ahead of Vandeputte and Vanthourenhout. Vanthourenhout missed out on his third consecutive Superprestige win but still comfortably leads the overall standings.
With a final jump, Sweeck secures his first win of the season - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
Telenet Superprestige Niel| Rank | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 57:13 | |
| 2 | + 01 | |
| 3 | + 13 | |
| 4 | + 24 | |
| 5 | + 37 | |
| 6 | + 48 | |
| 7 | + 55 | |
| 8 | + 01:00 | |
| 9 | + 01:08 | |
| 10 | + 01:11 |
| Rank | Rider | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | (1) | Niels Vandeputte | 53 |
| 2 | (1) | Michael Vanthourenhout | 51 |
| 3 |  Joris Nieuwenhuis | 47 | |
| 4 | (1) | Emiel Verstrynge | 45 |
| 5 | Jente Michels | 39 | |
| 6 | Toon Vandebosch | 30 | |
| 7 | (1) | Joran Wyseure | 26 |
| 7 | Laurens Sweeck | 26 | |
| 9 | Witse Meeussen | 25 | |
| 10 | (3) | Lars van der Haar | 20 |
