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Matilda Price

Exact Cross Mol: Mathieu van der Poel conquers snowy conditions to take another victory after Wout van Aert crashes heavily

Dutch Mathieu Van Der Poel competes in the men's elite race of the Zilvermeercross cyclocross cycling event, stage 5 out of 7 in the Exact Cross competition, in Mol on January 2, 2026. (Photo by LUC CLAESSEN / Belga / AFP) / Belgium OUT.

World champion Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) conquered heavy snow and an early crash to solo to his eighth win of the season at Exact Cross Mol, after Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) crashed out of a tense battle between the two.

Van der Poel went away solo early on in the nine-lap race, but his own crash on lap four saw Van Aert able to catch him, and the pair spent two laps together. However, in the slippery, snowy conditions, Van Aert then crashed on the paved section while on the wheel of Van der Poel. He soon pulled out of the race with a bleeding knee and more bad luck this cyclo-cross season.

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