started · updated
Daan Soete wins Belgian Gravel Championships in Grobbendonk
Daan Soete won the Belgian Gravel Championships in Grobbendonk, defeating his close friend and pre-race favorite Wout van Aert. The two riders, who grew up in the region, broke away from the main group to engage in a duel for the title.
Van Aert, who used the race as preparation for the upcoming Vuelta a España, struggled with cramps in the final kilometers, allowing Soete to secure the victory with a solo finish. Van Aert expressed no disappointment, noting the special nature of competing alongside a lifelong training partner on familiar terrain.
In the women's category, Nathalie Bex claimed the Belgian gravel title. Her victory was met with allegations from runners-up Loes Selsen and Marthe Truyen, who claimed Bex had cut a section of the course. Following a jury investigation, the results were upheld as no evidence of wrongdoing was found in the timing records.
Additionally, Nette Coppens secured the U23 women's Belgian gravel championship. Coppens indicated that while she intends to focus more on road racing in the coming season, this title provides significant motivation for her career development.
Entities
Daan Soete · Grobbendonk · Jan Bakelants · Nathalie Bex · Ridley Racing · Team Visma | Lease a Bike · Visma | Lease a Bike · Wout van Aert
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Organizer Erwen Vervecken stated Van Aert is participating because he enjoys the terrain and it aids his Vuelta preparation. www.velo.hu
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Belgian gravel championships are being held in Grobbendonk. cyclinguptodate.com · www.velo.hu
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Wout van Aert views anything less than winning the national title as a failure. cyclinguptodate.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Wout van Aert achieved several KOMs during his course reconnaissance. cyclinguptodate.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Wout van Aert completed a 124.05 kilometer reconnaissance ride with 310 meters of elevation gain.