Eli Iserbyt’s Cyclocross Comeback: Chaos, Sand, and Sweet Victory
Published on Saturday, October 26, 2024
Hold onto your handlebars, folks! Eli Iserbyt, the Belgian champ from Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal, has rolled back into action and just won his first cyclocross race after serving his suspension – talk about a dramatic return! After missing two races due to a not-so-heroic kicking incident involving Ryan Kamp’s bike, Iserbyt was back, stuffing his feelings of revenge into his tires, and he soloed to glory in the Exact Cross Heerderstrand. He crossed the finish line ahead of Pim Ronhaar and Laurens Sweeck, who were probably still wondering how they got left in the dust!
History in the Making
For the first time ever, the Cyclocross Heerderstrand was a part of the Exact Cross series. It’s a bit like the Olympics for cycling but without the fancy opening ceremony – or the pesky judges. Not every top athlete managed to crank it into gear for this event, but Iserbyt was in attendance after some comedic uncertainty regarding his suspension status. Meanwhile, the likes of sand specialist Laurens Sweeck, Niels Vandeputte, Mees Hendrikx, and Pim Ronhaar also made their swaggering appearances.
Falling with Style
Meanwhile, Spanish champion Felipe Orts arrived, undoubtedly practicing his best tumble techniques. On the very first bend – what a show-off! – he decided to dive in a little too fast and ended taking Guus van den Eijnden for an unexpected rollercoaster ride. Meanwhile, Iserbyt seized the prime spot and rode like someone who’d just spotted an all-you-can-eat buffet ahead.
The Race Unfolds
As the race progressed, Iserbyt showcased his power, shaking off his rivals like they were pesky mosquitoes. But wait! In lap three, Hendrikx and Ronhaar clung to the Belgian champion like he was the last piece of chocolate on the table. Definitely a cat-and-mouse situation, but Iserbyt showed those mice who was the cat! It became clear that Vandeputte had hit a wall – metaphorically speaking – and after five laps, he realized he was about as likely to podium as I am to fly to the moon!
Sandy Business
Then came the final lap, and if you’ve ever been on a beach, you know that quarter sand is right up there with “things that get stuck in your shoes.” Iserbyt made the most of it, pouncing ahead in a spectacular solo charge – a bit like a kid running toward ice cream! He took revenge, staving off a valiant effort from Ronhaar and a shattered Sweeck. Following on, Vandeputte and Orts nipped at their heels, but they were already slathered in exertion from the thrilling race.
Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 3:57 PM
Eli Iserbyt has won his first cyclocross after his suspension. The Belgian champion of Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal had to miss two crosses as a result of a kicking action towards Ryan Kamp’s bike at the start of the season, but returned in the Exact Cross Heerderstrand. Full of feelings of revenge, he rode solo to victory, ahead of Pim Ronhaar (second) and Laurens Sweeck (third).
For the first time in history, the Cyclocross Heerderstrand was part of the Exact Cross series. Just like the women, not all top athletes traveled to the Veluwe. Eli Iserbyt was there after some uncertainty about his suspension, as were sand specialist Laurens Sweeck, Niels Vandeputte, Mees Hendrikx and Pim Ronhaar.
Spanish champion Felipe Orts was also there and he said so. In the first 180-degree bend he wanted to dive inside, but he went much too fast, fell and took Guus van den Eijnden with him in his fall. Belgian champion Iserbyt then took over the lead, followed by Hendrikx, Corné van Kessel, Ronhaar, Tom Meeusen, Sweeck and Vandeputte.
Iserbyt shakes off Hendrikx, Sweeck and Ronhaar
Iserbyt managed to get rid of Hendrikx, but was then followed by Sweeck and Ronhaar in the third lap. It was first the Flemish from Crelan-Corendon who was able to join the Belgian champion, although Ronhaar – who only started his season in Woerden last week – certainly did not give up. In fourth place, Vandeputte also seemed to have a view of the podium, but he noticed after the fifth lap (out of nine) that it was no longer possible.
The cards had already been shuffled in this way when entering the last round of the round in Heerde, Gelderland, a quarter of which consisted of sand strips. Iserbyt took revenge with a nice solo win, ahead of a strong Ronhaar and a battle-weary Sweeck. Vandeputte and a strong recovery from Orts completed the top 5 on the Heerderstrand.
