Toon Aerts edged out defending champion Thibau Nys to win a thrilling 2025 European Cyclocross Championships in Middelkerke on Sunday. The Belgian showcased his mastery in the sand to secure his second victory of the 2025-2026 cyclocross season and his second European crown, nine years after his first.
After a mistake in the early laps, Aerts had to fight his way back to the lead group, finally rejoining after six laps of racing. He then positioned himself flawlessly at the front of a four-rider group heading into the final straight, where he powered to victory.
Defending champion Thibau Nys could not come out of Aerts’ slipstream and took the silver medal. Jordan Wyseure finished third for a Belgian sweep of the podium.
“This is such a special day. Once, almost 10 years ago, my career started at the European Championships. And now, so many years later, I think I can launch my second career again,” said an emotional Aerts, tears of joy streaming down his face.
“The race was like it was over in a few seconds. In my mind, I lost the race at the moment because I was stuck in the traffic of the other racers in the sand, but I had some strong parts also in the sand, and I can come back to the front group.
“Look in the last lap, I think, and I can have a gap in the last sand zone, I was in front, and then at the finish, I just know what happened. But luck was on my side today. It’s [been] a while ago I had such luck.
“The last years were so difficult, and to reach this today. It’s incredible. I don’t know what to say.”
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