Mathieu van der Poel extends streak with X20 Trofee Baal victory

Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin Deceuninck) began 2024 by extending his undefeated streak to eight races, soloing away from rival Wout van Aert (Visma Lease a Bike) on the first lap and never looking back. On a wet, muddy, treacherous course at the Sven Nys Cycling Centre in Baal, Van der Poel followed Van Aert with a quick start and the pair were together with Pim Ronhaar (Baloise Trek) on the opening lap, being chased by Thibau Nys (Baloise Trek).

But it wasn't long before Van der Poel powered clear, and a small mistake from Van Aert in a deep mud puddle was the opening he needed to leave the Belgian behind. Ronhaar clung onto Van Aert as the gap yawned to 48 seconds by the end of the second lap, while Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) was in a chasing trio with Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen Bingoal) and Lars van der Haar (Baloise Trek).

Van der Poel continued splashing away while Van Aert dropped Ronhaar as rain began to fall and remained flawless through to the finish. Van Aert cruised in for second place almost two minutes down, while Ronhaar persevered in third at 2:44. Results Results powered by FirstCycling.