Van der Poel’s Snowy Masterclass Leaves Van Aert in the Dust and Ditches

Allez TL;DR

Mathieu van der Poel once again proves untouchable in treacherous conditions, cruising to victory as Wout van Aert’s crash ruins what could have been a legendary duel.

Story

The Exact Cross in Mol delivered everything you want from a cyclocross spectacle: brutal weather, fierce rivalry, and drama on every turn. But while the snows fell thick from the skies, it was van der Poel who rose above the chaos, showcasing his trademark blend of fearless technical skill and raw power to claim another commanding win.

Wout van Aert was never far behind, pushing hard enough to reel in the world champion in a thrilling mid-race chase. Yet fate had other plans. Just as the tension peaked, Van Aert crashed heavily after knocking wheels with van der Poel, forcing the Belgian star to abandon what could have been a spellbinding battle for the ages. The impact on this season’s narrative is huge—these two titans constantly raise the bar, and a Van Aert without his wheels on the ground leaves a giant hole in the story.

With van der Poel clear on the front, the spotlight then shifted to the rest of the podium. Aerts and Orts seized the moment, carving out solid performances to round out the top three in a race that demanded every ounce of skill and grit.

Van der Poel’s mastery in mud and snow just added another chapter to this epic rivalry. Allez to pure, unfiltered cyclocross drama.

Sources: Exact Cross Mol official results, race footage.