Iserbyt Makes Last Lap Moves to Win 2020 World Cup Nommay – Report – Cyclocross Magazine

The second to last round of the World Cup awaited in the French city of Nommay today. Toon Aerts (Telenet Baloise Lions) led in the World Cup classification. World Champion Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) celebrated his 25th birthday, but was not present today as he is training in Spain, preparing for the spring classics on the road.

A very good start could be noticed for teammates Lars van der Haar and Thijs Aerts (Telenet Baloise Lions) today. Also, new Belgian National Champion Laurens Sweeck (Pauwels Sauzen Bingoal) had a good start. After having had some bad starts this season, the Belgian champion jersey seemed to give him wings. Three minutes into the race, Sweeck took the lead as well.

Thijs Aerts later regained the lead and passed the finish line with a little advantage on a large chasing group led by Sweeck. Iserbyt then took on the chase and closed the gap, the other Aerts hanging on to his wheel.

Once his brother was caught, Toon Aerts put the hammer down. Iserbyt was the only one able to follow an unleashed Aerts. Without mechanical problems for Iserbyt and Aerts, the rest would have to battle for 3rd today.

After a fast start by Thijs Aerts, the race came down to Eli Iserbyt and Toon Aerts. 2020 World Cup Nommay. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine

When Aerts later on attacked again, Iserbyt got dropped. Was this the decisive move of the race?

Eli Iserbyt had to chase back on Sunday if he wanted to win. 2020 World Cup Nommay. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine

In the background British national champion Tom Pidcock (Trinity Racing) had attacked as well, only Belgian champion Sweeck being able to hold on to his wheel.

Partly because of a mistake of Iserbyt on the barriers, his arrear had gone up to 11 seconds at the end of Lap 7. He then reduced the gap a bit and when Aerts changed bikes, Iserbyt decided not to, resulting in a decrease of Aerts’ advantage to 5 seconds at the end of Lap 8. As best of the rest, Sweeck passed the finish line with a 56 seconds arrear, as he had left Pidcock behind.

Laurens Sweeck raced in his new Belgian Champ’s kit. 2020 World Cup Nommay. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine

On a little uphill Iserbyt closed the gap entirely and pushed passed Aerts. After a bike change by Aerts, a little gap opened up. No worries for the Aerts fans yet, as he managed to close it by the end of the second-to-last lap.

Iserbyt and Aerts entered the last lap together. 2020 World Cup Nommay. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine

Inside the bell lap, not wanting to wait for a sprint, Aerts attacked fiercely. Iserbyt lost some ground.

The small West Flemish rider didn’t want to give up today and fought his way back once again after which he immediately attacked himself. A little gap opened up and the final stretch awaited.

The World Cup leader had given his all with his numerous attacks and couldn’t make his way back to Iserbyt’s wheel. After a tough duel Iserbyt drove this one home.

“I’ve had to go deep. It was a very long race, but on a track that was put there for me. Toon (Aerts) was better in the first half of the race and I had to pay attention on my pace,” Iserbyt said (translated). “After that I skipped a few bike changes to come closer and that succeeded. On the road I felt that I was faster, but it didn’t turn out to be a sprint. The last time uphill, that was my big luck. He didn’t make it to the top and because of that I could rejoin. Otherwise it would never have worked out.”

Eli Iserbyt took the last lap win. 2020 World Cup Nommay. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine

Belgian champion Sweeck took third today. Van der Haar and Pidcock completed the top five.

Stephen Hyde (Cannondale p/b CyclocrossWorld) finished 35th, Kerry Werner (Kona Maxxis Shimano) finished 38th, Curtis White (Cannondale p/b CyclocrossWorld) 40th and Patrick Collins (kb PHOTO cx / A-D Bikes) 48th.