X2O Trofee Brussels Men – Preview
By @EchelonsHub
The Course
We have the final round of the X2O Trofee tomorrow and it will be in Brussels that the final steps will be taken.
It will be quite a windy yet sunny day, with the possibility of some mud on the track due to recent rainfall, essentially the same as in Gavere today. That should make it even tricker, as the track is extremely technical. It’s a very physical course, includes several running sections, very complicated downhill features, steep banks to climb, nasty off-camber sections and with plenty of areas where riders constantly loose speed and have to regain it.
Toon Aerts has already consolidated his lead essentially and only has to run a safe race, so you will basically see no strategical racing here as everyone will be eyeing the win or the best possible result.
Recon of the track between 1:15and 11:48: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9_uU52cl1g&t=705s
The Startlist
| 1.Lars van der Haar | 2.Eli Iserbyt | 3.Toon Aerts | 4.Michael Vanthourenhout |
| 5.Laurens Sweeck | 6.Vincent Baestaens | 7.Corne van Kessel | 8.Daan Soete |
| 9.Toon Vandebosch | 10.Felipe Orts | 11.Jens Adams | 12.Ryan Kamp |
| 13.Tom Meeusen | 14.Timon Ruegg | 15.Thijs Aerts | 16.Thomas Mein |
| 17.Lander Loockx | 18.Stan Godrie | 19.David Menut | 20.Diether Sweeck |
| 21.Arne Vrachten | 22.Jonathan Anderson | 23.Nicola Parenti | 24.Koen van Dijke |
| 25.Thomas Verheyen | 26.Michael Crispin | 27.Julian Siemons | 28.Jens Gys |
| 29.Mathijs Wuyts | 30.Gauthier Heymes | 31.Timo Kielich | 32.Silas Schmid |
| 33.Jesus Torres | 34.Ingmar Uytdewilligen | 35.Tetsuji Kaji | 36.Siebe Tormans |
| 37.Kenneth van Compernolle | 38.Maarten can Staeyen | 39.Andy Ruts | 40.Maxime van Wynsberghe |
Startlist provided by the organization, may not be correct.
The Favourites
It’s a very complicated race and I expect an early attack to stick out and succeed. Who does that move though is a more interesting question, I wasn’t expecting van der Haar to thrive today like he did with some of the muddy conditions out on the route, but since he has than I have to consider him as the man to beat tomorrow.
It’s an explosive track but also a grueling one. Riders will suffer and having that endurance for the final half will be crucial. I wouldn’t for that reason put Iserbyt as a main favourite but he’s shown good enough legs today to show that he’ll be one the main men again.
On paper I would favour Toon Aerts and Michael Vanthourenhout over him, I think feeling on the day will be the decisive factor though as some riders will get the groove of the track and those who don’t feel good will likely break down quite dramatically.
Daan Soete did quite well today so he is for sure a card to consider. Toon Vandebosch, Laurens Sweeck, Vincent Baestaens, Corne van Kessel, Tom Meeusen and Jens Adams are further contenders for a Top5.
Prediction Time
1st– Lars van der Haar
2nd– Toon Aerts
3rd– Michael Vanthourenhout
4th– Eli Iserbyt
5th– Toon Vandebosch
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Tomorrow’s race has prizes of at least €200 and an entry fee of only €5. Make good use of your knowledge!
Rúben Silva
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