๐ฅ The moment Wout van Aert got dropped with 2.7 km to go at the Belgian Gravel Championships
GravelSunday, 16 August 2026 at 20:00
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Follow us on GoogleWout van Aert and Daan Soete shared the podium at the Belgian Gravel Championships on Sunday. The two close friends broke away 22 kilometers from the finish, after which Van Aert suddenly had to let Soete go 2.7 kilometers from the finish line. Hereโs how it happened.
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It was a somewhat striking sight. While everyone assumed that the two training partners would ride to the finish line together, Soete suddenly found himself alone just under three kilometers from the finish.
The Ridley rider crossed the finish line alone a few minutes later, followed by the Visma | Lease a Bike rider. Van Aert explained exactly what had happened in his flash interview.
"I wasted a lot of energy today. Toward the end, I was on the verge of cramping up. So... yeah, I really tried to work with the others to get there, and that cost me the victory, but I'm not very disappointed," Van Aert said in his interview.
Soete said he didn't realise it at first. "When I emerged from the sand, I suddenly saw that I was alone. It was a deep patch of loose sand, and I was the only one who made it out. From that moment on, there was no looking backโit was full throttle to the finish line."
Video: Belgian National Gravel Championship Final with Wout van Aert and Daan Soete
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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