Cyclocross world champion surprises favourites to win Belgium Tour prologue

Wout van Aert goes into the lead of the Belgium Tour having beaten favourite Tony Martin in the opening prologue

Wout van Aert (Bel) celebrates his win in the Elite Men's category (Watson)
(Image credit: Watson)

Cyclocross world champion Wout van Aert provided a shock in the prologue of the Belgium Tour by beating favourite Tony Martin to the stage win by two hundredths of a second.

Van Aert, riding for Continental team Crelan-Vastgoedservice, completed the six kilometre course in 6-52, beating Martin (Etixx-Quick Step) and Reto Hollenstein (IAM Cycling) to the win.

>>> A cyclocross world champion trying to cross a river – what could go wrong? (video)

The 21-year-old was making his first appearance in a UCI road race and now finds himself in the leader's jersey heading into stage 1 from Buggenhout to Knokke-Heist on Thursday.

As well as the World Championships in Zolder, van Aert also won the Belgian national championships and the UCI Cyclocross World Cup in 2016.

>>> Cyclocross world champion sets his sights on Paris-Roubaix

Lars van der Haar, who finished second to van Aert in Zolder is also riding the Belgium Tour, representing Giant-Alpecin.

Trek-Segafredo's Boy van Poppel also lines up, having been eliminated from the Giro d'Italia on stage eight for finishing outside the time limit, along with Elia Viviani.

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.