Four wins across three countries for Telenet Baloise

The Belgian cyclocross team completes another successful weekend of racing

Quinten Hermans took an emotional home victory in Beringen, Jim Aernouts won both races in Slovakia, and Thijs Aerts captured his first pro win in Luxembourg as the Telenet Baloise Lions continued with another successful weekend in cyclocross.

Adding to the four victories was a second-place by Lars van der Haar in the Telenet Superprestige series in Gavere, Belgium, which moved the Dutch rider into the overall lead, knocking teammate Hermans to second. The Lions now hold the top four places in the Superprestige series after three races.

Belgian Quinten Hermans celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the men's elite race at the Be-MINE site in Beringen.

Belgium

Saturday Quinten Hermans and Belgian champion Toon Aerts finished 0ne-two in a new cyclocross race in Beringen. While it has hosted many mountain bike races, it was a first for cyclocross, and for Hermans – and the team – as close to home as they could get. From the top of the course’s biggest hill, the Telenet Baloise service course was visible while Hermans resides in the next town, and it was a big home win for both.

This is my first pro victory in Belgium and I’m very happy to celebrate it in my home region! This site made a very hard course, but I immediately had a very good feeling and the supporters were amazing.

Belgian Toon Aerts pictured in action during the men's elite race in Beringen.

Belgian Toon Aerts crosses the finish line at the men's elite race at the Be-MINE site in Beringen.

While Aerts took an early lead, a piece of barbed wire in his tire would end his bid for his second win of the season. “This obviously pulled him back quite a bit,” said sport manager Karen Ramakers. “He fought back to second, and was a good teammate for Quinten from then on.”

Sunday was the Superprestige Galvere and Toon Aerts’ misfortunes continued, this time with a crash while leading the race with Eli Iserbyt and Michael Vanthourenhout. Toon never recovered as Iserbyt went on to take the win, but teammate Lars van der Haar performance landed the Lions another podium. Van der Haar had another strong race to finish in second and move into the overall lead in the series.

My goal in Gavere was to be on the podium, so I’m all smiles since I made it work! After my win in Woerden on Tuesday, this second place is tops of my week. There are a couple of races coming up that should really suit me – so I’m hoping to hold on to this feeling!

Dutch Lars Van Der Haar pictured in action during the men's elite race of the 'Cyclocross Gavere'.c

Belgian Toon Aerts pictured in action during the men's elite race of the 'Cyclocross Gavere'.

Slovakia

Jim Aernouts took a double victory, winning in Podbrezová (Saturday) and Topolcianky (Sunday).

Mission accomplished! Slovakia gave me two fast but technical races and being able to cross both finish lines on my own feels awesome.

Luxembourg

Thijs Aerts grabbed his first pro victory at the Grand-Prix de la Commune de Contern where he shared the podium with Telenet Baloise U23 rider Andreas Goeman.

The depth of the Telenet Baloise Lions displayed in four victories and six riders on the podium over the weekend.

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