Telenet Fidea dominates weekend CX races in Belgium

Ellen Van Loy wins in Hasselt while van Kessel, Aernouts, Aerts go 1-2-3 in Mol

Ellen Van Loy bested last week’s Koksijde World Cup winner Denise Betsema and the World Champion Sanne Cant to take the win at the Soudal GP Hassel, Saturday, while a day later in the Elite Men’s Zilvermeercross race in Mol, three Telenet Fidea Lions swept the podium.

I knew the start is very important in Hasselt, so I took the lead immediately and never gave it to anybody else. It was tough to keep it up for seven laps, but I had a great day and was able to keep riding a high pace. Beating the World Champion and the woman-in-shape of the last weeks feels awesome!

- Ellen Van Loy

The day after the 2018 Masters World Championships wrapped up in Mol, the Elites took to the course on Sunday for the Zilvermeercross race.  In the Elite Men’s, the Telenet Fidea Lions grabbed all three steps of the podium: Dutchman Corné van Kessel grabbed the win ahead of his Belgian teammates Jim Aernouts, in second, and Thijs Aerts, in third.

It was sweet redemption for van Kessel after finishing a disappointing sixth in Hasselt the day prior, a race he went into with high expectations after he won it in 2017.

After a good passage through the sand, I left Tom Meeusen behind and started my solo. It wasn’t easy, but Jim and Thijs were the perfect teammates behind me! I’m very happy to share the podium with those two.

Corne Van Kessel pictured in action during the men's elite race of the Zilvermeercross cyclocross race.

Jim Aernouts in the sand ahead of teammate Thijs Aerts.

Thijs Aerts

Van Kessel celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the men's elite race of the Zilvermeercross cyclocross race in Mol.