🚵🇧🇪 | Oei, oei gelijk een flinke valpartij na de start van de Vlaamse Duinencross in Koksijde! #X2OBadkamersTrofee 📺 Stream cross op HBO Max
Sand specialist Sweeck lives up to his name and wins Duinencross Koksijde, but Del Grosso challenges him
Cyclo-crossFriday, 03 January 2025 at 17:30
Sand specialist Laurens Sweeck lived up to his name by conquering the dunes of Koksijde, but it was anything but an easy win for the 31-year-old Belgian of Crelan-Corendon. Tibor Del Grosso proved a formidable opponent, providing an exciting and challenging battle. Toon Aerts secured the third spot.
Without Mathieu van der Poel, Michael Vanthourenhout, and Thibau Nys, who were absent for various reasons, the cyclo-cross in Koksijde kicked off. The next name was eliminated in the first turn: Niels Vandeputte slipped and was involved in a big crash. As a result, the Belgian was immediately one minute behind.
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Del Grosso and Sweeck find each other in the first round
A leading group quickly formed in the first dune passages, with Del Grosso and Sweeck in front. Entering the second lap, the Dutch rider and Belgian already had a lead of about 20 seconds ahead of the five chasers, including Pim Ronhaar and Joran Wyseure.
On the second lap, Ronhaar made a cautious comeback, leaving the rest behind at least. Del Grosso and Sweeck kept rotating well at the front and did not test each other to the limit. The emerging Ronhaar followed at eleven seconds at the next finish line passage. Behind them came Toon Aerts, Toon Vandebosch, and Wyseure at eighteen seconds.
On the third lap on the dunes, Sweeck pulled ahead slightly but then had to continue on foot, bringing Del Grosso closer again. Nevertheless, the rider of Crelan-Corendon and Alpecin-Deceuninck remained superior to the rest. Ronhaar remained stuck in his chase, and the Dutch rider from Baloise Glowi Lion saw his gap increase to nineteen seconds.
On the fourth lap, the young Dutch rider took the initiative after a fast descent. The pressure was suddenly on Sweeck, but Del Grosso made a mistake on the next section of sand, giving the experienced Belgian a golden opportunity. It was precisely what Sweeck needed, so we entered the fifth lap with the same leading duo. Both riders were particularly equal, which made for an exciting duel.
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🚵🇧🇪 | Tibor del Grosso maakt induk en rijdt ook Laurens Sweeck uit het wiel. Kan het Nederlandse talent dit volhouden? #X2OBadkamersTrofee 📺 Stream cross op HBO Max
Exciting battle between the Dutch rider and the Belgian
Ronhaar's comeback had failed at the back, a true chasse patate for the Dutch rider. However, the battle for spot three became interesting, as four more cyclists stood a chance. The victory was miles ahead of them, as the difference had grown to over forty seconds. The names in that group remained unchanged: Wyseure, Aerts, Vandebosch and Ronhaar.
After nearly forty minutes of racing and five laps, the two leaders did not pass the finish line together for the first time. The 31-year-old Sweeck proved more decisive on one of the steep dune slopes. Where the 21-year-old Del Grosso had to get off his bike, Sweeck stayed in the saddle. This was the first sign of difference between the two. Although the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider returned at the beginning of the fifth lap, it happened again not much later. Sweeck rode away meter by meter in the sand sections. However, Del Grosso closed the gap in the other sections.
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🚵🇧🇪 | Wat een prachtige strijd! Sweeck slaat elke keer een gaatje, maar Del Grosso komt elke keer weer terug. Nog twee ronden te gaan! #X2OBadkamersTrofee 📺 Stream cross op HBO Max
Sweeck beats Del Grosso and wins
Meanwhile, Aerts and Wyseure dominated the battle for third place. Ronhaar struggled with his gums and was eight seconds behind. Aerts finally claimed the podium on the fifth lap.
In the seventh lap, Sweeck managed to control the race for good. It was challenging, and Del Grosso proved to be a formidable opponent, but eventually, the Crelan-Corendon rider beat his rival. In the final lap, Sweeck could focus entirely on maintaining his lead to impressively cash in on his chance at victory. He did so with conviction. Virtually flawless, Sweeck rode all laps through all the sand sections. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider secured second place and crossed the line 24 seconds behind the winner.
Results X2O Trophy Koksijde 2025 - men
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
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Latest Comments
- This was very informative! Luiz Antonio Duarte Ferreiraluizantonioduarteferreira02-01-2025
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024