Wout van Aert has taken his first victory since the 2024 Vuelta a Espana, triumphing at the Superprestige Gullegem Cross this Saturday afternoon in Belgium. After a thrilling battle with fellow competitor Eli Iserbyt, Van Aert emerged victorious, providing his son Georges with a memorable 4th birthday gift.
The race featured tightly contested opening laps, with Van Aert and Iserbyt gradually distancing themselves from the pack as they jockeyed for the lead. Their two-man duel intensified as the finish line approached, leading spectators to expect a dramatic sprint finish. Eventually, the pressure mounted on Iserbyt, who made a significant error—losing contact with Van Aert's back wheel, which proved decisive for the race outcome.
“I had to dig deep. The first two or three laps I always felt like I had some left,” Van Aert reflected post-race. He noted how maintaining focus during the closing stages was key to his performance. “When I rode through the first time, Michael Vanthourenhout, Eli, and Joran Wyseure were still quite close. Then I focused on the final. The last two laps I just tried to smother Eli.”
Despite entering the race without strong expectations, Van Aert’s superb performance caught many off guard, including himself. “I say it every time, but it seems hard for people to believe,” he remarked about his unassuming approach going back to cyclocross this winter. “It feels really good; 2025 has started and it feels really good.”
Meanwhile, Iserbyt, who was competing strongly himself, shared insights on the race. He finished just ten seconds behind Van Aert but remained positive about his own performance. “I felt tired beforehand, because I was really deep yesterday,” Iserbyt admitted. Despite this, he recognized improvements on technical segments compared to Van Aert, asserting, “I think I was just a little bit [better] than Wout there. But on the straights and the running, I felt Wout was definitely the stronger one.”
The intensity of the race revealed the formidable skill of both athletes. During the final moments, Iserbyt made two costly mistakes, which not only cost him the lead but sealed his fate. “I made one mistake too many. On the last lap, I made two mistakes and then I knew it would be very difficult to follow Wout,” he said, highlighting the importance of consistency and precision on such demanding courses.
Van Aert’s victory at the Superprestige Gullegem Cross marks his first cyclocross win of the season and his first since last year’s World Cup event. This win also offers him much-needed momentum as he transitions to the upcoming road season, which holds several significant goals for him. The race was particularly meaningful not only for its competitive nature but also following Van Aert's recovery from injuries sustained during the Vuelta a España, which hindered his form last season.
Looking forward, Van Aert expressed his excitement for race days to come, stating, “I’m really happy with the victory today.” He began the race from the third row, which presented early challenges, but quickly asserted himself among the frontrunners. Halfway through, he and his teammate Vanthourenhout broke away from the pack, only to find themselves later rivaled by Iserbyt's powerful push.
Given the hill-laden and technical nature of the course, this race presented multiple challenges. Van Aert navigated these well, noting, “I didn’t have big expectations this winter, partly because I am looking forward to the big season on the road.” His win vindicates his return, bringing optimism heading forward.
Meanwhile, Iserbyt prepares for the next race with determination, confident from his strong performance, even if it didn’t culminate in victory. “I feel like I had a really strong race overall,” he said. The dynamic between the two athletes showcases the high level of cyclocross competition as they head toward the next events of the season.
With the next challenge at Dendermonde looming just around the corner, both Van Aert and Iserbyt look to build on their performances and assess their strategies. This vibrant sport continues to captivate audiences, making each race highly anticipated.