Laurens Sweeck won the sixth round of the Superprestige cycling competition in Diegem on Monday evening after a thrilling finale.
Sweeck, the 31-year-old leader of Crelan-Corendon, triumphed over Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Deceuninck), who finished second, and Thibau Nys (Baloise Trek Lions), who came third.
Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert did not participate in the event.
In the overall standings, Vandeputte strengthened his lead, accumulating 74 points. Lars van der Haar (Baloise Trek Lions), who finished sixth on Monday, has 69 points, while Sweeck has 60.
Lars van der Haar encountered difficulties maneuvering into the first turn. Tibor del Grosso, Andrew Strohmeyer, Laurens Sweeck, Michael Vanthourenhout, and Eli Iserbyt managed the turn better, forming the lead group.
Thibau Nys also had a weak start but quickly surged to the front.
After navigating the sandpit, Sweeck took an early lead but was soon rejoined by Del Grosso, Nys, Vanthourenhout and Felipe Orts for the second lap.
A larger group, including Jente Michels, Anton Ferdinande, Victor Van De Putte, Niels Vandeputte, and Iserbyt, trailed by 7 seconds.
Then, Vanthourenhout had to replace a shoe, losing several positions.
Midway through the race, Nys, Vandeputte, Sweeck, and Del Grosso led, with Orts and Ryan Kamp 5 seconds behind. The group grew larger thanks to numerous changes in pace, but Sweeck then took the lead as Vanthourenhout faced more misfortune.
Eight riders entered the final lap, fiercely competing. In the last stretch, Sweeck gave his all to win the round.
The next round of the Superprestige will take place on Saturday in Gullegem, West Flanders.
