Gallery: 2015 World Cup-Heusden-Zolder

A muddy descent dashed several riders’ hopes on the Heusden-Zolder circuit that will host the January world championships. Photo: Tim De Waele | TDWsport.com

Matthieu van der Poel and Lars van der Haar traded blows at the head of affairs for much of the race. Photo: Tim De Waele | TDWsport.com

It was an off-day for Wout Van Aert, who finished a distant eighth. Photo: Tim De Waele | TDWsport.com

Van der Poel was strong going up and going down on the Heusden-Zolder circuit. Photo: Tim De Waele | TDWsport.com

Lars Boom, a former winner of the World Cup race in Zolder, made an appearance Saturday, though he did not factor in the battle for the podium. Photo: Tim De Waele | TDWsport.com

Jeremy Powers was the best-placed American rider, finishing 16th. Photo: Tim De Waele | TDWsport.com

After falling behind a lead duo of van der Poel and van der Haar, Kevin Pauwels forced his way back into the conversation. Photo: Tim De Waele | TDWsport.com

Despite Pauwels’ best efforts, van der Poel blasted clear with a little over a lap to go. He opened up enough of an advantage to give himself time to zip up his jersey at the finish. Photo: Tim De Waele | TDWsport.com

Van der Poel celebrated his second straight World Cup win. Photo: Tim De Waele | TDWsport.com

Pauwels was forced to settle for second. Photo: Tim De Waele | TDWsport.com

A late puncture forced van der Haar to pit and scuttled any chance he had of winning or even taking second place. Photo: Tim De Waele | TDWsport.com

Van der Poel, Pauwels, and van der Haar made for a strong podium. Photo: Tim De Waele | TDWsport.com

Katie Compton set the pace at the head of affairs in the women’s race for a long stretch. Photo: Tim De Waele | TDWsport.com

Sanne Cant got off to a slow start, but worked her way up to Katie Compton’s wheel before powering clear with under two laps to go. Photo: Tim De Waele | TDWsport.com

Cant left Compton behind on the final climb of the final lap, and rode on to her second World Cup victory of the season. Photo: Tim De Waele | TDWsport.com