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Gerben Kuypers (Proximus-Alpha Motorhomes-Doltcini) dominated the fourth spherical of the Precise Cross in Essen and took a solo victory within the province of Antwerp at Robotland on a chilly Saturday.
It was Kuypers’ fifth victory of the 12 months, the primary elite win exterior the Coupe de France collection.
Jens Adams (Hollebeekhoeve Biking Crew) took second whereas Emiel Verstrynge (Crelan-Fristads) held on for third. Victor van de Putte (Deschacht-Hens-Maes) simply missed the rostrum, ending one second again of Verstrynge.
Because the ladies’s race earlier on Saturday, deeper roots and ruts had been carved on the muddy course however the tempo was nonetheless swift. Kuypers dashed to the lead firstly with Verstrynge on his again wheel. Adams had work to do straightaway, pushing from seventh place.
By the third of 10 laps, there have been 4 riders who settled on the entrance, Kuypers and Verstrynge pushing the tempo with Clément Sexy (BH-Wallonie MTB) and Adams. One circuit later, a hesitation within the mud by Sexy brought about Adams to crash. This allowed Kuypers and Verstrynge to surge forward and create a niche.
Because the fifth lap started, Kuypers moved easily on the entrance via the woods whereas Verstrynge started to fade, needing a motorcycle change due to a flat tyre. Kuypers then went into time-trial mode and rode solo for the remaining circuits.
Adams then broke freed from Verstrynge and Alpecin-Deceuninck duo of Jente Michels and Van de Putte to make the competition fascinating with two and half laps to go, closing to inside 21 seconds to Kuypers.
The massive names from the previous two years, together with 2021 winner Wout Van Aert and 2020 winner Mathieu van der Poel, skipped Essen to journey to Eire for Sunday’s World Cup contest. Adams will likely be one of many high riders from Essen to pack his bike and journey to Dublin for a weekend doubleheader.
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