The victory in the X2O Badkamers Trofee at Hamme went to Thibau Nys on Sunday. The Belgian champion from Baloise Glowi Lions managed to shake off Cameron Mason in the final lap, who had caused a selection midrace and made it very tough for Nys. Third place went to the overall leader Joris Nieuwenhuis, who crashed in the very first corner and completed a remarkable chase to secure a podium spot.
The X2O Badkamers Trofee round in Hamme had to proceed without one of the main favorites; fresh European champion Toon Aerts woke up sick and had to withdraw. This left the Flandriencross open to watch Thibau Nys, Joris Nieuwenhuis, Laurens Sweeck, Niels Vandeputte, and Michael Vanthourenhout.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2025 |  Thibau Nys |
| 2024 | Niels Vandeputte |
| 2024 |  Mathieu van der Poel |
| 2023 | Wout van Aert |
| 2022 | Laurens Sweeck |
| 2021 | Mathieu van der Poel |
| 2019 | Mathieu van der Poel |
| 2018 | Mathieu van der Poel |
| 2017 | Mathieu van der Poel |
| 2016 | Mathieu van der Poel |
Nieuwenhuis faces chase after crash in first corner
The holeshot went to Niels Vandeputte, and experienced veteran Tom Meeusen surprised with a flying start. Misfortune hit Joris Nieuwenhuis, the winner in Merksplas on Saturday, as he crashed in the first corner. He had to start a long chase, also having to change bikes early. This cost Nieuwenhuis the initial advantage.
Vandeputte kept the pace high, causing the first selection, but most of the time, bonus seconds after the opening lap were snatched by Felipe Orts. They led a large group, from which Ryan Kamp and Michael Vanthourenhout were absent due to a crash.
Up front, Thibau Nys increased the tempo, leaving a group of six at the front including Orts, Vandeputte, Cameron Mason, Emiel Verstrynge, and Jente Michels. A strong Nieuwenhuis had already worked his way into the top 10 by the end of the third lap (out of ten), less than 12 seconds behind the leaders. Gradually, he closed the gap, making the X2O standings leader a serious contender again.
photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
Mason and Nys create a gap, Nieuwenhuis surfaces at the front
Cameron Mason surprised with a move by the technical zone, briefly going solo. Only Nys could bridge across to the British champion, while Nieuwenhuis launched a strong acceleration to move into fourth place, even passing Vandeputte at mid-race to claim third. However, they were still well behind Mason and Nys.
The leading duo pushed each other to the limit. For a long time, Mason was in control, but Nys took over strongly and accelerated. The gap to Nieuwenhuis hovered around 15 seconds. Was he going to pay the price for his chase? Lars van der Haar and Niels Vandeputte were able to join the Ridley rider.
With two laps remaining, Mason and Nys held a 14-second lead over Van der Haar and Nieuwenhuis. The two Dutchmen closed in dangerously in the final lap, but at the front they kept up the pace. Nys tried a surge to drop Mason. The Brit lost a few meters but rejoined in the ultimate sprint.
A new surge from Nys stuck. The Belgian champion turned it into a long sprint and impressively beat the tenacious Mason. Behind them, Nieuwenhuis sprinted to third place, just ahead of Van der Haar, successfully defending his lead in the X2O Badkamers Trofee. Fifth place went to Laurens Sweeck.
photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
X²O Badkamers Trofee Flandriencross - Hamme| Rank | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 01:01:13 | |
| 2 | + 01 | |
| 3 | + 12 | |
| 4 | + 14 | |
| 5 | + 32 | |
| 6 | + 35 | |
| 7 | + 50 | |
| 8 | + 01:00 | |
| 9 | + 01:31 | |
| 10 | + 01:44 |
| Rank | Rider | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joris Nieuwenhuis | 03:03:37 | |
| 2 |  Cameron Mason | 03:04:01 | |
| 3 | (1) | Thibau Nys | 03:04:19 |
| 4 | (1) | Niels Vandeputte | 03:04:54 |
| 5 | (1) | Lars van der Haar | 03:05:07 |
| 6 | (8) | Laurens Sweeck | 03:08:09 |
| 7 | (6) | Jente Michels | 03:08:17 |
| 8 | (1) | Michael Vanthourenhout | 03:08:21 |
| 9 | (1) | Toon Vandebosch | 03:08:38 |
| 10 | (1) | Witse Meeussen | 03:08:48 |
