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Updated 27/12/2023 at 16:54 GMT
Jumbo-Visma rider Wout Van Aert claimed victory at the Heusden-Zolder round of the Superprestige to win the race for the fifth time in his career. The 29-year-old Belgian rider saw off a late challenge from Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) in a tense final lap. Meanwhile, Fem van Empel came out on top following a thrilling battle with Alpecin-Deceuninck’s Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado.
Highlights: Van Aert claims battling victory on final lap in Heusden-Zolder
Jumbo-Visma’s Wout Van Aert won the Heusden-Zolder round of the Superprestige for the fifth time in his career on Wednesday.
The Belgian rider shrugged off a late challenge from compatriot Eli Iserbyt, riding clear of the Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal rider on the final lap to seal victory.
With Van der Poel missing, Van Aert was the strong favourite going into the race and he made a steady start, cruising in sixth behind early leaders Kevin Kuhn (Circus-Reuz-Technord), Tibor del Grosso (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Joris Nieuwenhuis (Baloise Trek).
Del Grosso continued his promising start and kept up with Van Aert’s pace alongside Ward Huybs (Baloise Trek), Iserbyt, Vandeputte and Nieuwenhuis as the race winner led a reduced group into the third lap.
On the fourth lap, under-23 rider Del Grosso made Van Aert and Iserbyt work and forced a chase with Iserbyt pushing the pace by the end of the lap.
Van Aert was set back by four seconds after getting caught behind Crelan-Corendon rider Joran Wyseure.
He battled through the leading group of seven riders and just as they reached the sixth lap, Van Aert took the lead.
Biding his time before pushing for the finishing line, Van Aert was joined by Vandeputte, Iserbyt, Nieuwenhuis and Del Grosso as the race leaders.
On the penultimate lap, the Belgian found his moment to push for the pace and moved six seconds ahead.
Iserbyt kept his lead shortened and mounted a comeback charge, but Van Aert was too strong as he closed out the win.
Van Empel edges Alvarado
Elsewhere, Jumbo-Visma rider Fem van Empel came out on top following a thrilling race-long battle with Alpecin-Deceuninck’s Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado.
Following a heated exchange throughout the Heusden-Zolder course, Van Empel edged Alvarado in a two-up sprint.
Looking to redeem herself after losing her 11-race win on Tuesday, Van Empel started well alongside Alvarado but suffered another nasty crash on the third lap, where she fell hard on a steep descent.
Van Empel edges Alvarado in Heusden-Zolder thriller
Although she looked to have sustained more damage to her right knee which she had injured earlier in the week following a series of crashes, she bravely got back to her feet and on the bike to chase Alvarado, which she eventually did for her 12th victory of the season.
Alvarado sealed second place, while Inge van der Heijden (Crelan-Corendon) wrapped up the podium places.
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