Eli Iserbyt records his first victory as Belgian champion in Otegem

Eli Iserbyt’s first victory in the Belgian champion jersey is already a fact. The Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal rider soloed to victory in the Betafence Cyclocross of Otegem – the day after winning the BC race in Meulebeke.

The day after the Belgian Championship, the cyclo-cross caravan traditionally descends on Otegem in West Flanders, a sub-municipality of Zwevegem, for the Betafence Cyclocross. In this repechage race at the Belgian cyclo-cross championship, the riders were presented with a ‘stoempers course’. “In Otegem the riders know that they will see a lot of mud, in flat meadows that are often not easy to get to,” organizer Benny Lavaert told us.

Belgian champion immediately shows himself
With the brand new Belgian champion Eli Iserbyt, defending champion Laurens Sweeck, Michael Vanthourenhout, Niels Vandeputte, Ryan Kamp, Joran Wyseure and Belgian U23 champion Emiel Verstrynge, there were many great names at the start in Otegem. Before the start, most attention was paid to Iserbyt and the newly crowned champion was clearly keen to show off his tricolor jersey in the field for the first time.

The Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal rider – who clearly did not suffer from a hangover after all the festivities – took off like a rocket and turned out to be the instigator of a leading group of five riders. Iserbyt was joined by British champion Cameron Mason, Jente Michels, Ryan Kamp and Tim Merlier, who is in full preparation for the road season. However, this leading group of five did not stay together for long, and that was due to a new acceleration from Iserbyt.

Unleashed Iserbyt solos to a special victory
Iserbyt decided to die again in the sixth round and only the surprisingly strong Michels – the European champion among the promises – turned out to be able to join his bandwagon. Kamp and Mason had to pass and suddenly had to chase, but for Merlier it went completely too fast. At the peak of the race, an interesting battle arose between established top rider Iserbyt and coming man Michels.

However, with just three laps to go, Iserbyt managed to finally take control of the race. With a new gear he managed to shake off the brave Michels. This turned out to be the beginning of a successful solo venture to the finish. With two laps to go, his lead over Michels – eighteen seconds – was already reasonably reassuring. Mason – as number three in the race – was already 25 seconds behind Iserbyt.

Iserbyt ran into no more problems in the last two laps and recorded his first victory in the Belgian championship jersey. It is also the 26-year-old driver’s eighth win of the season. Michels seemed to be on his way to second place, but was joined by Mason in the final lap. The Briton ultimately proved to be the strongest in the sprint and ended up second, ahead of Michels.

Betafence Cyclocross Otegem
Results, elite men
1. That is, Iserbyt
2. Cameron Mason
3. Girl Michels