Toon Aerts wins European title in Belgian 1-2-3
Toon Aerts won a hard-fought elite men's European Championship race on the beachside course at Middelkerke, outpunching defending champion Thibau Nys, with Joran Wyseure completing an all-Belgian podium. In contrast to most of the other events this weekend, the elite men's race rang with tension throughout, the top six riders finishing within 13 seconds of victory.
Earlier in the day, there was another victory for an Italian youngster in the junior men's race as Filippo Grigolini succeeded compatriot Mattia Agostinacchio as under-19 champion, with Patrik Pezzo Rosola making it an Italian one-two. In the U23 women's race, Célia Gery was the hot favourite, but the French teenager was thoroughly beaten by the more experienced Dutchwoman Leonie Bentveld.
Look out for Escape's coverage of the weekend and what to look forward to this CX season.
Elite Men top 5
- Toon Aerts (Belgium) 58:40
- Thibau Nys (Belgium) "
- Joran Wyseure (Belgium) +0:03
- Pim Ronhaar (Netherlands) +0:04
- Cameron Mason (Great Britain) "
U23 Women top 5
- Leonie Bentveld (Netherlands) 44:06
- Célia Gery (France) +1:13
- Amandine Muller (France) +1:49
- Shanyl De Schoesitter (Belgium) +2:25
- Bloeme Kalis (Netherlands) +2:42
Junior Men top 5
- Filippo Grigolini (Italy) 38:50
- Patrik Pezzo Rosola (Italy) +0:13
- Giel Lejeune (Belgium) +0:16
- Cas Timmermans (Netherlands) +0:27
- Delano Heeren (Netherlands) +0:49
