This Thursday took place the third round of the Superprestige in Niel, in the province of Antwerp. Joint leader in the individual standings after two rounds, Quinten Hermans was one of four Tormans Cyclo Cross Team riders lined up for the men’s event bringing together the Elite and the Under-23. Around 3p.m., Hermans, Kévin Kuhn, Corné Van Kessel and Joran Wyseure set off on a completely renewed circuit, combining mud, sand and mounds.
Quinten Hermans was part of a quartet that quickly emerged in the first lap, chased nearby by Swiss champion Kévin Kuhn, also delivering a strong start. After responding to an acceleration from Toon Aerts, Hermans grabbed the lead and even created a gap, but a crash thwarted his attempt. Hermans, however, kept contact with the front until the fifth lap, where he was forced to briefly stop in a muddy uphill section.
The outcome of the race was eventually decided between Aerts and Iserbyt, and it was the latter that settled the sprint. Hermans crossed the line in third position 22 seconds behind the duo, earning his third podium in as many Superprestige events this season. Kévin Kuhn finished ninth and Joran Wyseure 14th.
« I did not enjoy my best feelings today and I understood it from the start of the race. I had to claw my way back to the front early on and I was hoping to gain momentum in the second half of the race. But fatigue gradually took over, while my opponents were able to move up a gear. I fought to the finish despite the bad luck so I'm happy to finish on the podium under these circumstances! In Superprestige competitions, it is important to waste as few points as possible, because the battle for the final classification is always very close. »
