Blanka Vas (SD Worx-Protime) started fast and finished strong, holding off a resurgent Zoe Bäckstedt (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto) to win the Maasmechelen World Cup race and show she is a favourite for next week's UCI Cyclocross World Championships.
Bäckstedt was leading on the final lap but stumbled on the key off-camber sector. She was suddenly five seconds behind Vas but fought back in the final sectors.
