The Pauwel Sauzen – Bingoal team came in to the Superprestige Finale with hopes of overcoming Toon Aert’s five-point lead over Eli Iserbyt.
After lap one, all was going to plan:
Behind the pressure was getting to Toon Aerts (Telenet Baloise Lions).
Could the Pauwel Sauzen team sacrifice individual chances of victory to help Iserbyt claim the overall?
Soon Sweck then Vanthourenhout answered that question.
While the Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal team celebrated a podium sweep, tensions among the teammates were high. Had his teammates let him win, Iserbyt would have taken the overall crown.
“From half the race it also became more difficult for me. I didn’t have a super day, but maybe we could do better with the team to take the overall victory,” said Iserbyt after the race (translated).
Teammate Vanthourenhout basically admitted as much, saying, “We looked at it for the overall victory, but in the last two laps it was every for himself.” (translated)
American Jonathan Anderson finished 44th, while Canadian Cameron Jette finished 46th.
See the race and overall series results below.
2021 Superprestige Middelkerke Results: Elite Men
2020-2021 Superprestige Cyclocross Series Final Overall: Elite Men
Related Products
