Joris Nieuwenhuis wins in Merksplas despite bad luck

A crash, shoe problems, and mechanical bad luck couldn’t stop him. Joris Nieuwenhuis has won the Aardbeiencross in Merksplas for the second time in his career. The Dutchman accelerated with two laps to go and finished solo ahead of Niels Vandeputte and Emiel Verstrynge.

Several favourites had a poor start in Merksplas. Laurens Sweeck (Crelan-Corendon), Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen – Altez Industriebouw CT) and local rider Toon Aerts (Deschacht-Hens CX Team) all had to start chasing right away. The lead changed shoulders rapidly during the opening laps. The pace was high, but making a real difference proved difficult.

In the second lap, Joris Nieuwenhuis (Ridley Racing Team) quite literally dropped out of the front group. The Dutchman slid out in a corner and damaged his shoe. One lap later he again had to put his foot down due to mechanical issues. The first real acceleration of the day came from Cameron Mason (Seven Racing). The Brit managed to stretch the long line into smaller groups.

Halfway through the race we had five leaders: Nys (Baloise Glowi Lions), Verstrynge (Crelan-Corendon) and teammates Michels – Vandeputte (Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team) had succeeded in following Mason. At the end of the fifth lap we witnessed an impressive comeback: Joris Nieuwenhuis rejoined the lead group after his earlier problems.

After Thibau Nys, racing in the Belgian tricolour again for the first time in a long while, took a turn at the front, Joris Nieuwenhuis accelerated in lap seven. Following a strong passage through the sand, he gained a few seconds of advantage. In the chase, Nys and Verstrynge worked together, but after another poor sandy section they had to let the Dutchman go for good.

Barring new misfortune, the victory was secured for Nieuwenhuis when entering the final lap. In the fight for the remaining podium spots, Niels Vandeputte and Emiel Verstrynge came out on top. Thanks to Michael Vanthourenhout’s eighth place, Vandeputte becomes the new leader in the overall standings.