Iserbyt happy that Maasmechelen organization has listened to criticism: "I sent them a message"

Eli Iserbyt is currently undefeated in the Superprestige. On Saturday, the Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal cyclist also won the second leg of the overall classification in Ruddervoorde. After an exciting final, he defeated Dutch champion Lars van der Haar in the final lap. It was the fourth consecutive time that Iserbyt won in Ruddervoorde. IDLProCycling.com caught up with him in the mixed zone after he completed his quartet!

"It wasn't the easiest," the cyclist initially said in the flash interview. "The course was very tricky, and I made a lot of mistakes. So, I'm glad that my final lap was almost perfect," Iserbyt concluded with satisfaction. But all those mistakes, what were they due to? "It was, of course, extremely slippery, but I didn't use the heaviest tread because the rest of the course was great. So, it was really slippery and slidey. The tracks also changed every lap, so we didn't know whether to ride on the left, on the right or in the middle. That made it tricky."

Iserbyt started the final lap just behind the in-form Van der Haar but managed to overtake him in the final stages. "I knew that in the last lap, I had to be ahead of Lars on those little climbs, and I just managed to do that. After that, I could just ride at my own pace. I was also riding a very good stretch, and that made the difference," said the Superprestige leader.

Iserbyt considers himself an outsider for European Championships

During the race, it was hard to make a difference. It wasn't until the last two laps that Iserbyt, Van der Haar and Michael Vanthourenhout managed to set themselves apart from the group of, up to that point, approximately ten riders. "On the new course, the technical sections were very close to each other, and there were many straight sections to return. It also often became quiet in our group because the three or four of us weren't really cooperating. It was more in bursts. That's why others could often catch up," explained the winner.

After a somewhat choppy start to the season, the Belgian is now in strong form with two consecutive victories. Next Sunday, the Maasmechelen World Cup awaits, and a week later, the European Cyclocross Championships will be held in Pontchâteau, a municipality in western France. "I'm definitely not the favorite at the European Championships. Realistically, that's Thibau Nys. It's good, though, that I can approach the European Championships without the burden of being the favorite," concluded Iserbyt before preparing for the ceremonial duties.

Iserbyt says there was teamwork with Vanthourenhout (to put pressure on Van der Haar)

After those ceremonial duties, the protege of Jurgen Mettepenningen made time for a chat with IDLProCycling.com. We're curious about what a fourth consecutive victory in Ruddervoorde means to someone like Iserbyt. "This does feel special, especially because it's a race in West Flanders. And that's, of course, close to home for me. It's a cross that suits me very well. I do think this was one of the toughest editions. Lars rode incredibly strong, as did Michael. In the end, a lot of riders came together. So, it was important to be at the front and try to make a difference on the technical sections," he said.

Iserbyt, Van der Haar and Vanthourenhout were thus engaged in a battle for victory among the three of them. That made for two Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal riders (Iserbyt and Vanthourenhout) versus one rider Baloise Trek Lions rider (Van der Haar). Iserbyt confirmed to us that there was some teamwork involved, especially since Van der Haar was riding almost flawlessly. "We both made a few attacks. That way, we could put some pressure on Lars. However, he was incredibly strong and led the way in the last lap and a half. So I knew he had used up his best efforts, and that's why I decided to go all out. Fortunately, that was just enough," he said.

Iserbyt sent grateful message to organization World Cup race Maasmechelen

The day after the race in Ruddervoorde, the Maasmechelen World Cup race is on the cyclocross menu. Last year, the course of that race was strewn with stones, much to the displeasure of riders such as Iserbyt. Last week, course designer Chris Mannaerts announced that the organization had taken into account the riders' complaints and that a (significantly) modified course will be waiting for them on October 29, 2023. "I think it's very good that they have listened to our feedback," confirmed Iserbyt. "I sent a message to the organizers to thank them. It's always nice when they take into account the riders' wishes. So I am hoping for a very nice race. There are only a few races in Limburg, but they always create a great atmosphere. I'm really looking forward to it!"

After Maasmechelen, Iserbyt's schedule includes the Koppenbergcross on his way to the European Cyclocross Championships, where, as mentioned earlier, he doesn't see himself as the absolute top favorite. "Indeed, I am preparing for the European Championship through the Koppenbergcross. It's quite a challenge for us, isn't it?" he chuckled, as did yours truly. "We have a super busy schedule, but that's only a good thing. We enjoy it."