With the 2018 calendar year kicking off at the Sven Nys Cycling Center in Baal, what better way to start the year in cyclocross than with a little mud? After icy conditions last year, Mother Nature brought proper muddy conditions to the DVV Trofee race in 2018.
The story of 2017 in the Men’s field was the dominance of Mathieu van der Poel. Monday brought a few new changes for the old boss, including the debut of the new Corendon-Circus team name and his first race aboard his new Canyon Inflite.
If Van der Poel was having any troubles adjusting to the new bike, he did not show it. He shook off a challenge from Wout van Aert (Crelan-Charles) and won the muddy race by almost a minute. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
The messy conditions did create a couple of scary moments when Michael Vanthourenhout (Marlux – Bingoal, formerly Marlux – Napoleon Games) and Van Aert crashed at the barriers.
Hoping @vth_michael is okay after a nasty crash at the barriers. #GPSvenNys #Baal @DVVtrofee #dvvtrofee pic.twitter.com/GTeJm8xcmC
— Cyclocross Magazine (@cyclocross) January 1, 2018
Both riders posted on social media that they are okay.
Update @vth_michael: pols geraakt, ribben lijken ok, meer onderzoek volgt. pic.twitter.com/xYUXJX1Z1g
— Marlux-Bingoal (@MAR_BG_CT) January 1, 2018
Puh, that was a rough start of 2018. So cold and tricky. Luckily nothing wrong with my shoulder. Got the same at Worlds in Tabor ‘15 and still finished 2nd. No worries! Thanks for your anxiety everyone. We keep on fighting 👊🏼
— Wout van Aert (@WoutvanAert) January 1, 2018
If you missed Monday’s race, check out this highlight video from Cycling.be. We will keep out eyes out for full replays of the race.
Also, this amateur video captures some of the muddy racing from just behind the barriers.
