The UCI Cyclocross World Cup in Hulst, famous for its iconic windmill, offered Wout van Aert yet another opportunity to blow his rivals away and continue his winning streak.
Tom Pidcock, Eli Iserbyt, Lars van der Haar lined up in hopes that the challenging, technical course might offer a headwind to stall the tall Belgian’s forward progress. Forecasts predicted 23mph gusts. Would that be enough?
The three rocketed off the line led by holeshot winner Van der Haar. Could the course, filled with steep vertical climbs and descents, offer up an advantage for those vertically challenged?
Lars van der Haar had a fast start on home turf and held on for third. 2022 Hulst UCI Cyclocross World Cup, Elite Men. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
Within a minute of the start, fans got their answer and Van Aert’s rivals got their wish, not through a blowing wind, but chain suck.
Van Aert dropped his chain on a climb into an off-camber, considerately pulled off to the side with Pidcock passing and Iserbyt and Van der Haar already ahead, and watched his chances of staying undefeated this season ride away.
The Men Elite just started in Hulst
, but Van Aert already has technical issues! 🔧 He resumes his race in position 40. 📺 Follow the action 👉 https://t.co/kgKYZoYism #CXWorldCup pic.twitter.com/kcAPkWMO4X
— UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup (@UCIcyclocrossWC) January 2, 2022
Van Aert lost 25 seconds in the ordeal, and was caught behind traffic for the first few laps on a course that was filled with bottlenecks.
Each lap, he moved up a handful of places, but lost time, losing another ten seconds on Lap Two.
Tom Pidcock took one step up from his second on Saturday to win Sunday’s World Cup. 2022 Hulst UCI Cyclocross World Cup, Elite Men. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
Up ahead, the race was on for the win. Pidcock and Iserbyt got by Van der Haar, and the two rivals were once again in a familiar position of battling each other for the win.
Pidcock is going fast and takes a lead over Iserbyt in lap 4️⃣! He has a small gap of 5 seconds. 💨 📺 Follow the action 👉 https://t.co/kgKYZoYism #CXWorldCup pic.twitter.com/rkN72fFYze
— UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup (@UCIcyclocrossWC) January 2, 2022
Pidcock, the Olympic mountain bike champ, appeared to have an advantage on the steep descents and climbs, and pulled out a few seconds in the final laps to take his second Elite World Cup win.
Tom Pidcock took one step up from his second on Saturday to win Sunday’s World Cup. 2022 Hulst UCI Cyclocross World Cup, Elite Men. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
Tom Pidcock wins in Hulst
— UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup (@UCIcyclocrossWC) January 2, 2022
Iserbyt rolled in for second, pointing to his sponsors as he crossed the line, while Van der Haar finished third on home turf.
For the second day in a row, Eli Iserbyt battled rival Pidcock but finished just behind. 2022 Hulst UCI Cyclocross World Cup, Elite Men. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
Van Aert continued his steady climb up from his first-lap mechanical to finish fourth, but over a minute in arrears.
They might not be tall, but they’re cyclocross giants. Iserbyt, Pidcock and Van der Haar. 2022 Hulst UCI Cyclocross World Cup, Elite Men. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
Highlights, photos and results below.
This is how @Tompid won a tense race in Hulst!
— UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup (@UCIcyclocrossWC) January 2, 2022
2022 UCI Cyclocross World Cup Hulst Results: Elite Men
2022 Hulst Cyclocross World Cup Photo Gallery: Elite Men
Lars van der Haar had a fast start on home turf and held on for third. 2022 Hulst UCI Cyclocross World Cup, Elite Men. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
