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While the Dutch men were vacationing and on training camps, the Belgian men congregated in Meulebeke, Belgium for the 2021 Belgian Cyclocross National Championships. Arguably the second most important jersey in cyclocross was on the line.

Could Laurens Sweeck repeat? Could Toon Aerts take back his 2019 crown? Could Eli Iserbyt overcome his string of bad luck and injuries? Or would the favorite, superstar Wout van Aert, ride away from the field despite his new brand new job as a dad?

The Meulebeke course featured its traditional dirt oval track start, BMX-style rollers and multiple flyovers, but added a newly-constructed massive run-up along with steep, climbs after hairpin turns.

While Sweeck did his best to defend his jersey, and teammate Iserbyt got caught up in early traffic, the pre-race favorite emerged from the mud at the front, but it didn’t happen immediately.

New papa Van Aert had a bobble on a first-lap climb, and was the first to dismount and run the climb. His dismount caused a collision behind him that took out Iserbyt, and had the European champ chasing a minute in arrears before throwing in the towel.

Van Aert held off early challenges from Sweeck and Aerts, and then Michael Vanthourenhout, but maintained a comfortable gap through the finish to take his fourth title at the young age of 26.

The fourth title equaled the Nationals feats of cyclocross legend Erik De Vlaeminck.

Van Aert’s celebration honored his young son:

Van Aert said he hardly slept for six nights before the race. “For the race I really didn’t want to say it, I barely slept for six nights,” he said immediately after the race (translated). “But apparently it doesn’t matter much if you live on a cloud.”

Van Aert was quick to dedicate his fourth title to his growing family.

“That’s why I want to dedicate the victory to my son. And to Sarah of course. Thanks for the past 9 months, Sarah”, said Van Aert after the finish. “She’s doing the great work.”

Full results from the 2021 Belgian Cyclocross National Championships Elite Men’s race are below.

2021 Belgian Cyclocross National Championships Results: Elite Men

RankBIBLast NameFirst NameTeamAgeResult
16VAN AERTWoutJUMBO VISMA2701:04:12
21AERTSToonBALOISE TREK LIONS2800:00:20
33VANTHOURENHOUTMichaelPAUWELS SAUZEN - BINGOAL2800:00:41
44SWEECKLaurensPAUWELS SAUZEN - BINGOAL2800:01:12
511MERLIERTimALPECIN - FENIX2900:01:56
67VERMEERSCHGianniCREDISHOP-FRISTADS2900:01:59
75HERMANSQuintenTORMANS CYCLO CROSS TEAM2600:02:01
812SWEECKDietherCREDISHOP-FRISTADS2800:02:05
916AERNOUTSJimBALOISE TREK LIONS3200:02:40
108SOETEDaanGROUP HENS - MAES CONTAINERS2700:02:48
1115LOOCKXLanderGROUP HENS - MAES CONTAINERS2400:02:57
1219KIELICHTimoCREDISHOP-FRISTADS2200:03:00
1314MEEUSENTomGROUP HENS - MAES CONTAINERS3300:03:08
1434VERSTRYNGEEmielTORMANS CYCLO CROSS TEAM1900:03:13
1513ADAMSJens2900:03:21
1617VANDEBOSCHToonPAUWELS SAUZEN - BINGOAL2200:03:29
1722FERDINANDEAntonPAUWELS SAUZEN - BINGOAL2100:03:37
1821BEKAERTYentlBALOISE TREK LIONS2200:03:42
1910BAESTAENSVincentGROUP HENS - MAES CONTAINERS3200:04:36
2025VRACHTENArne2200:05:18
2143BELMANSLennertIKO - CRELAN1900:05:25
2223SIEBENSGianni2300:05:29
2345HUYBSWardBALOISE TREK LIONS1900:06:16
2438ALDERWEIRELDRobin2500:06:28
2536MEEUSSENWitsePAUWELS SAUZEN - BINGOAL2000:06:38
2642VERHEYENThomas2400:07:03
2720ROMBOUTSSeppe23
2829VERVOORTWout20
2931UYTDEWILLIGENIngmar30
3024VAN DEN BROECKArno21
3147PEMENDolfPROXIMUS - ALPHAMOTORHOMES - DOLTCINI CT21
3240BAERSArne19
3337VAN LOOVERENJoachimPROXIMUS - ALPHAMOTORHOMES - DOLTCINI CT20
3433HORNYClement21
3528SIEMONSJulian22
3641GYSJens32
3744CLARYSSEElioPROXIMUS - ALPHAMOTORHOMES - DOLTCINI CT19
3848SALOMEZYdrisPROXIMUS - ALPHAMOTORHOMES - DOLTCINI CT20
3946LAEVENSJustinPROXIMUS - ALPHAMOTORHOMES - DOLTCINI CT20
4039OGERVincent27
32NYSThibauBALOISE TREK LIONS19
18CAMPSJellePAUWELS SAUZEN - BINGOAL22
30WYSEUREJoran20
2ISERBYTEliPAUWELS SAUZEN - BINGOAL24
35DEBEIRArno22
9AERTSThijsBALOISE TREK LIONS25
27GOEMANAndreasBALOISE TREK LIONS22