Mathieu van der Poel beats rival Wout van Aert and wins cyclo-cross World Cup

Mathieu van der Poel won the men's elite cyclo-cross world title for the fifth time in his career in Hoogerheide, the Netherlands, on Sunday. The Dutchman beat Wout van Aert in a sprint at the finish line. Belgium secured two medals in the men's elite category, with the bronze going to Eli Iserbyt.

Top favourites Van Aert and Van der Poel took off together in the first lap of the race, treating fans to a duel that lasted until the finish line. Van der Poel distanced his rival in the final meters, Van Aert could not catch up to him from behind.

Van der Poel secured his fifth world title in Hoogerheide, alongside Swiss Albert Zweifel, Frenchman André Dufraisse and Italian Renato Longo. Belgian Erik De Vlaeminck remains the record holder with seven rainbow jerseys.

In total, Belgium took home six medals this year, with the only gold going to Thibau Nys, who won the men's U23 race on Saturday.

^{© BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS}