Who knows if Van Aert had read (or had it translated for him...) last night? the piece of bike.PRO on Hamme and above all Bramati's words: «They've taken the measures, tomorrow will be a different thing, Van Aert will change strategy and try to stay close to him…».
The fact is that, in the final stage of World Cup in Overijse, the Belgian started like a bomb, in front of everyone, and Van der Poel had no choice but to get close to him.After one lap the race was already drawn, with the two attacking and the others rowing in the mud, a treacherous mud with a thousand treacherous points, who ultimately wrote the evolution of the race. No one was exempt from falls, but those that occurred in VdP were perhaps less painful, but more expensive compared to its rival.
Fall and puncture
The first in the second round, a slip that allowed Van Aert to gain about fifteen metersThe Dutchman had to push to recover, mainly using foot passes. where its long levers allowed to gain on the leader of the standings. As soon as he got back on the pace, a small driving error by Van Aert seemed to allow VdP to break away, but at the end of the second lap the situation suddenly changedThe Alpecin Fenix champion punctured his rear tire and Van Aert could finally free himself of his uncomfortable company. VdP, before he could change bikes, was almost caught by Pidcock and Vanthourenthout, who then watched his back drift irremediably away on the pedal path.
Second fall
Van Der Poel was passing through on the third lap 10" behind his rival, which however implemented an exceptional fourth round (perhaps the most encouraging data for the Belgian's world championship ambitions), doubling the lead in a round substantially free of external events such as punctures or crashes.
Race over? Not a chance: Van der Poel began a slow but inexorable comeback, which during the seventh of eight scheduled laps brought him to within just 6" of his rival, who was now in his sights. A comeback that, however, had cost him a great deal of energy, especially mental energy. First a pedal stroke in vain, then a real slip at the exit of a bend put an end to the contest and the Dutchman was only thinking about finishing the race, 1'03” behind his rival who thus could celebrate winning the crystal trophy. Third was a brilliant Thomas Pidcock (not free from falls either) at 2'07" ahead of Vanthourenhout at 2'24" and Aerts at 2'49".
Rabbit and Hunter
From Van Aert's first words it is clear how much value it has.
«It was particularly pleasant – he said – for once be the rabbit instead of the hunter… It was a race decided by episodes, I know that he remains the favourite for the world championship, but I have had signs that make me hope for the best."
Overall good test of Jakob Dorigoni and Gioele Bertoliwhat, managed to get into the points zone even though they were dubbed, but the fact that, despite being 24th and 25th respectively, they were fifth and sixth among the "outsiders from Belgium and Holland" It says a lot about the general situation…
Alvarado at the top
The women's race also added uncertainty to the next world championship rendezvous, with Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado's second victory in 24 hours, in some ways even clearer than yesterday, with Lucinda Brand, already confident of winning the trophy, second at 24” but above all never able to worry her rival.
The clash at Ostend looks uncertain, but the Dutch, who are clearly aiming to monopolize the podium, will have to keep a close eye on the American Horsinger, who finished fourth today, 34” behind the brilliant Manon Bakker, who won her second “bronze” in two days. Among the 6 Italian athletes competing, Eva Lechner performed well., 13th at 1'41” with a very regular race after a less than brilliant start.
