Aerts secures first win since suspension, Cant breaks year-long drought at Belgian race

Toon Aerts and Sanne Cant celebrated victories today at the independent cyclo-cross race in Otegem, Belgium. For Aerts, who had already achieved some podium finishes and placed third at the Belgian National Championships on Sunday, it was a special day. He claimed his first win since his doping suspension, riding for the Deschacht-Hens-Maes team. For Sanne Cant, it was also a remarkable achievement. She secured her first victory since the Belgian National Championships of 2024 and raced without the Belgian champion’s jersey on her shoulders for the first time in fifteen years.

Although several big names were absent, the race in Otegem still delivered memorable moments. The race, which was not broadcast on television, traditionally provides the newly crowned Belgian champions a chance to showcase their jerseys for the first time. Among the women, Marion Norbert-Riberolle proudly displayed her new jersey. Thibau Nys, however, was not present, as he had already left for Spain.

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Toon Aerts

A strong group sprints for victory

In the men’s race, the surprising Wies Nuyens had an explosive start. A lead group of about ten riders quickly formed. Around fifteen minutes into the race, a group of four broke away: Eli Iserbyt, Laurens Sweeck, Joran Wyseure, and Jens Adams. After a solid start, Aerts found himself trailing by sixteen seconds.

Teammates Sweeck and Wyseure, both riding for Crelan-Corendon, tried to pressure their competitors with attacks. Iserbyt, however, remained calm and managed to bring the group back together with five laps remaining.

Meanwhile, Aerts fought his way back to the front of the race. Entering the final lap, Iserbyt launched an attack, gaining a small gap of a few seconds. However, he couldn’t shake off his rivals entirely, which set up the race for a sprint finish. In that sprint, Toon Aerts proved the strongest, claiming victory. Laurens Sweeck finished second, followed by Joran Wyseure. Eli Iserbyt narrowly missed the podium, finishing in fourth place.

  Aerts leads during the Belgian National Championships

Almost three years since Aerts’ last win

Aerts’ previous victory was on February 5, 2022, at the Krawatencross in Lille, Belgium. Shortly after, he received a two-year suspension following a positive test for letrozole metabolites. He returned to cyclo-cross in February of 2024.

"That was a real thrill. It feels amazing to win again, but I really had to fight for it," Aerts told HLN after the race. "At one point, I wasn’t up there with the leaders and almost gave up. But then I pushed myself, told myself to stop whining, and chased down the lead group. I also crashed and had to chase again. Eventually, I was part of the lead group of four entering the final lap, and I won the sprint."

"Appreciate the little things to achieve the big things. I’m fully focused on the World Championships and hope to shine in a few more races. This win gives me more confidence," concluded the 31-year-old cyclo-cross rider.

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Sanne Cant 

Cant wins after a duel with Van Alphen

In the women’s race, all eyes were on Norbert-Riberolle, but it was Kiona Crabbe who had the strongest start, setting a fast pace. This created a lead group of about eight riders. In the third lap, Cant and Aniek Van Alphen significantly increased the pace. None of the other riders could respond to that attack.

Marion Norbert-Riberolle tried to close the gap but couldn’t succeed, with her deficit steadily growing as Julie Brouwers and Jamie de Beer remained near her. At the front, Cant and Van Alphen worked well together, entering the final lap with a comfortable lead.

In the closing stages, Cant broke away from Van Alphen. This marked her first victory since last year’s Belgian National Championships. Van Alphen finished second, while Norbert-Riberolle completed the podium in third place.

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