Michael Vanthourenhout assesses the damage after crashing out of the 2026 Superprestige Merksplas
Cyclocross
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Follow us on GoogleMichael Vanthourenhout seems to have gotten off with a scare on Saturday after he crashed hard in lap 4 of 11 at the Aardbeiencross in Merksplas and was forced to withdraw. The Belgian rider from Pauwels Sauzen-Altez Industriebouw appeared to have sustained a serious injury, but ultimately made it back to the team van on his own.
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Vanthourenhout crashed out of the Superprestige in Merksplas
Things went wrong for Vanthourenhout when he tumbled over his teammate Gerben Kuypers in a turn during the fourth lap on Saturday.
Kuypers got caught on a fence and, as a result, took his teammate and fellow Dutchman down with him. Joran Wyseure of Crelan-Corendon was also held up, but did not fall.
While Kuypers and Wyseure were able to continue, Vanthourenhout remained on the ground. He had to be treated on the course and was eventually able to walk off the field on his own.
With a pained expression on his face, we then saw Vanthourenhout ride his bike along the course before he, limping, made his way back to his RV.
Vanthourenhout couldn't clip in or out after crash
On VTM, Vanthourenhout—who was able to finish the race on the rollers—commented on his crash.
He was particularly disappointed that he didn’t score any points on Saturday in Merksplas, which means he can essentially “forget about” the overall victory in the Superprestige.
The pain was mainly in his hip, where he sustained a deep laceration. “I can ride, but unclipping is difficult,” he said.
Vanthourenhout was hopeful that it wouldn't be too bad, and after a medical check, he was given the green light to race on Sunday in Hamme, a cyclocross race in the X2O Trophy.
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David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
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Latest Comments
- - I’m still learning how cyclocross works: when he says he messed up the start at the Europeans, can a bad start really make that much difference?patriciaw14-11-2026
- - Love that he’s honest about the pressure. Hopefully he can carry this form through the winter.lindae14-11-2026
- - Beating different competition is the key now. Nys is already in the mix, and Van der Poel could make the next step a much tougher one.jennifer1914-11-2026
- - About time—Mason’s been knocking on the door for years. That Niel win could really open things up for him.cadencekingm14-11-2026
- I’m still learning how cyclocross works—does leading the Superprestige mean Mason is top of that race series, rather than the World Cup? Either way, winning in Belgium sounds like a massive result.cadencekingm13-11-2026
- Calling Onley a contender for an overall Tour win already feels a bit premature, especially after the injury setbacks. Still, the depth of talent is exciting.robert6513-11-2026
- Great to see Dickson’s route from triathlon to the WorldTour getting recognition. Scottish cycling has plenty to be proud of, and the 2027 Grand Départ could give the next generation a real lift.patriciaw13-11-2026
- The article makes a good case for clubs and small teams doing the groundwork, rather than one big development pipeline. Thornley’s Vuelta time trials were seriously impressive too; missing a stage win by two seconds is brutal.davidm13-11-2026
- Mason winning in Niel is huge—beating that kind of Belgian field in the mud takes serious class. The Kelvingrove World Cup could be an unforgettable homecoming.breakawaybikerd13-11-2026
- I’m not sure how WorldTour licences work—could these reports affect whether the team gets one next year, or is that decision based on other criteria?velodromevirtuoso113-11-2026
