Wout Van Aert edges battle with Eli Iserbyt on final lap for fifth career Heusden-Zolder victory

Jumbo-Visma’s Wout Van Aert won the Heusden-Zolder round of the Superprestige for the fifth time in his career on Wednesday.

The Belgian rider shrugged off a late challenge from compatriot Eli Iserbyt, riding clear of the Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal rider on the final lap to seal victory.

With Van der Poel missing, Van Aert was the strong favourite going into the race and he made a steady start, cruising in sixth behind early leaders Kevin Kuhn (Circus-Reuz-Technord), Tibor del Grosso (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Joris Nieuwenhuis (Baloise Trek).

Del Grosso continued his promising start and kept up with Van Aert’s pace alongside Ward Huybs (Baloise Trek), Iserbyt, Vandeputte and Nieuwenhuis as the race winner led a reduced group into the third lap.

On the fourth lap, under-23 rider Del Grosso made Van Aert and Iserbyt work and forced a chase with Iserbyt pushing the pace by the end of the lap.

Van Aert was set back by four seconds after getting caught behind Crelan-Corendon rider Joran Wyseure.

He battled through the leading group of seven riders and just as they reached the sixth lap, Van Aert took the lead.

Biding his time before pushing for the finishing line, Van Aert was joined by Vandeputte, Iserbyt, Nieuwenhuis and Del Grosso as the race leaders.

On the penultimate lap, the Belgian found his moment to push for the pace and moved six seconds ahead.

Iserbyt kept his lead shortened and mounted a comeback charge, but Van Aert was too strong as he closed out the win.