Mathieu van der Poel rides to 50th World Cup win in Maasmechelen despite two flat tires

Mathieu van der Poel remains unbeaten this cyclocross season. The Dutchman secured his eleventh consecutive victory in the World Cup at Maasmechelen. He finished ahead of Tibor Del Grosso and Niels Vandeputte.

The weekend before the World Championships featured two more World Cup races. On Sunday, the action moves to Hoogerheide, but on Saturday the cyclocross caravan made a stop in Maasmechelen. Among the men, there was one clear top favorite for the win: Mathieu van der Poel. The world champion faced competition from riders including Tibor Del Grosso and Thibau Nys.

Immediately after the start, the World Cup race was disrupted by a crash. Joran Wyseure clipped out of his pedal just seconds in, taking Pim Ronhaar down with him. Ronhaar was able to continue, but Wyseure, having lain on the pavement for several laps, was later transported to the hospital.

Meanwhile, Nys, Del Grosso, and Van der Poel fought a battle up front. The younger riders launched multiple attacks on each other while the world champion watched and followed their moves. After 25 minutes, however, Van der Poel suffered a flat tire – and it looked like a tough challenge for him to still win the race, as he had just passed the technical zone.

Del Grosso immediately opened up a small gap, distancing even Nys. With three laps to go, the Dutch champion had positioned himself well to take the World Cup victory, but one lap later – yes indeed – Van der Poel, Nys, and Niels Vandeputte had caught back up to Del Grosso.

Van der Poel then quickly delivered the finishing blow, extending his winning streak and securing the 50th World Cup victory of his career. A new flat tire did not stop him. Behind Van der Poel, Del Grosso and Vandeputte completed the podium.