After having twice finished in fourth place, Quinten Hermans was rewarded this Sunday with his first podium of the season on the dirt in Gieten. The Belgian stood out alongside his compatriot Toon Aerts in this opening Superprestige race, contested in the north of the Netherlands in the rain. The duo were able to quickly build a 30-second lead over the first chasers Iserbyt and Sweeck. Hermans showed skill on the bumpy, slippery course, and managed to join Aerts again after a puncture in the fifth of eight laps. In the penultimate lap, Aerts managed to make the difference in the pit lane, regularly solicited in this cross. He won with 23 seconds ahead of Quinten Hermans, with Corné Van Kessel closing the top 10.
The riders of Tormans Cyclo Cross Team also competed in France and Belgium this Sunday. For his second Coupe de France race in Pierric in two days, Théo Thomas took 12th place. Antwerp champion Shana Maes was fourth in Kasterlee.
« It was nice to finish on the podium today, although I would have loved to deliver a more exciting battle for the victory. I actually lost quite some energy because of a puncture halfway through the race. I tried to hide my puncture for Aerts, but of course he realized that I was slowing down. So he had a little gap before I reached the pits. It took me quite some energy to race on a flat tire and close the gap afterwards. That's why I lacked a little power in the final to offer him more resistance. I'm happy about the start of my season and I'm looking forward to leave for the USA on Tuesday. Luckily a rest day is on the programme tomorrow, because I'll need some recover after this race in difficult weather circumstances! »
