Corné Van Kessel concluded the busy Christmas period with the Brussels Universities Cyclocross this Sunday. The first group was reduced to five riders at the beginning of the seventh and penultimate race of the DVV Trophy: Van Kessel, Eli Iserbyt, Tim Merlier, Mathieu van der Poel and Michael Vanthourenhout. Technical problems forced the riders one by one to make efforts to stay at the front of the race. Also the Dutch rider from Tormans Cyclo Cross Team, when tree roots made his chain drop. Time gaps were created in the final, revealing the value relations between the riders. World champion Mathieu van der Poel took his nineteenth victory of the season, preceding Eli Iserbyt by half a minute and Corné Van Kessel by 38 seconds. The last race of the DVV Trophy will be ridden on Februari 8th in Lille.
Due to illness and in order to be ready for the Belgian championships, Quinten Hermans didn’t participate in Brussels. He’ll get the support of Xandro Meurisse at the national championships in Antwerp next Sunday, while Fabien Doubey and Corné Van Kessel participate at the French and Dutch national championships.
Corné Van Kessel:
« I think our sponsor will be happy with these two podium finishes and a fourth place. After a good start for the Tormans Cyclo Cross Team, I need to wait and see how I will recover from the busy Christmas period. I’ll try to give Mathieu van der Poel a hard time at the Dutch championships, hoping that Quinten is able to conquer the tricolor in Belgium! »
Brussels Universities Cyclocross:
1. Mathieu van der Poel
2. Eli Iserbyt +0:30
3. Corné Van Kessel +0:38
