Gallery: Van der Poel tames the gravel at the Antwerp Port Epic
With plenty of gravel and cobblestones, plus a unique setting, the Antwerp Port Epic is one of the coolest races on the calendar.
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It’s more than six weeks since Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) crashed out of the cross country MTB race at the Tokyo Olympics, injuring his back in the process. Sunday’s Antwerp Port Epic was his first race since then – a chance to test out his back ahead of the upcoming Road World Championships and the postponed Paris-Roubaix.
In classic Van der Poel style, the 26-year-old went on to win the race, beating Giro d’Italia stage winner Taco van der Hoorn in a two-up sprint.
The UCI 1.1 Antwerp Port Epic is a road race, but to quote photographer extraordinaire Kristof Ramon, the event’s 36 km of gravel and 28 km of cobblestones ensure “this race occupies a unique spot in the Belgian race scene”. Head on down the page to check out Kristof’s photos from one of the coolest races on the calendar.
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Van der Poel was the star attraction at the Belgian one-day race. “Hmm, how will I win this one?” The scenery is a little different at the Antwerp Port Epic. The peloton passes under the Schelde river. Gravel time. Kicking up dust. Van der Poel will be hoping his back is ready in time for some more serious cobbles in northern France in a few weeks’ time. Dusty. Van der Poel pushing the pace. Sub-optimal. Van der Poel opened a gap on a gravel sector with around 25 km to go. Only Taco van der Hoorn was able to follow him. “The back gave some problems in the final hour but it didn’t bother me as normal,” Van der Poel said later. “I am relieved.” “Right, so how am I winning from here?” – Van der Hoorn, presumably. It came down to a sprint between Van der Poel and Van der Hoorn … … with Van der Poel taking a comfortable victory in the end. Not a bad result for a rider apparently just testing himself. “I have to wait to see how I react but this race isn’t like Roubaix or Worlds,” Van der Poel said about participating at those events. “We’ll decide this week.” Dries De Bondt cleans up after a dirty day at the office. A big teddy … … and a big glass of beer for the winner. Mmmm, Kwaremont. Tim Merlier won the sprint from a small group to finish third. A good day out for Alpecin-Fenix with two on the podium and three in the top 10.
