After four consecutive second places, Wout Van Aert delivered a one-man show at the World Cup in Heusden-Zolder, leading the race from start to finish.
Laurens Sweeck (ERA-Circus) had an impressive race as well, attacking on the penultimate lap to finish second. The sprint of the day was Toon Aerts (Telenet Fidea Lions) and Kevin Pauwels (Marlux-Napoleon Games), with Pauwels leading onto the race track finish straight and opening the sprint first. But Pauwels held the European champ’s wheel and just nipped him on the line for the final podium spot.
The previously dominant Mathieu Van der Poel (Beobank-Corendon) had a day to roget, with a slow start that put him in the second group early on. Later, he had an issue with his shoe that forced a shoe change in the pit. Finally, on the last lap he was seen only walking parts of the course, knowing his day was not going to get any better. He settled for 14th.
Lars Boom (Astana) made his return to top level racing in his first World Cup race of the year, finishing a strong 11th.
Van Aert extended his lead in the overall standings of the World Cup thanks to his third win in the series.
Results:
| 1 | Wout Van Aert (Crelan-Vastgoedservice) | 1:05:22 |
| 2 | Laurens Sweeck (ERA-Circus) | +01’10’’ |
| 3 | Kevin Pauwels (Marlux-Napoleon Games) | +01’41’’ |
| 4 | Toon Aerts (Telenet Fidea Lions) | ,, |
| 5 | Tom Meeusen (Telenet Fidea Lions) | +01’57’’ |
| 6 | Michael Vanthourenhout (Marlux-Napoleon Games) | +02’01’’ |
| 7 | Tim Merlier (Crelan-Vastgoedservice) | +02’03’’ |
| 8 | Jens Adams (Crelan-Vastgoedservice) | ,, |
| 9 | Corne Van Kessel (Telenet Fidea Lions) | +02’21’’ |
| 10 | David Van Der Poel (Beobank-Corendon) | +02’25’’ |
