One perfectly-timed move in the final lap changed everything.
Niels Vandeputte of Alpecin-Deceuninck waited until almost the last possible moment to make his winning move at the Exact Cross Kortrijk, also known as the Leiecross. With an explosive attack in the final two minutes of racing, he surged clear to edge out Cameron Mason (7 Racing) and clinch a dramatic victory.
On a fast, mostly flat course that rewarded raw speed and smart positioning, the race stayed tightly controlled for much of the day. A relatively large front group formed and stubbornly held together, with riders constantly watching one another, knowing that any hesitation could open the door for a late attack. In the end, Vandeputte used that very dynamic to his advantage, timing his acceleration to perfection and crossing the line just three seconds ahead of Mason.
Ryan Kamp (Fenix) rounded out the podium, finishing third a further four seconds behind Mason. On a course like this, where there were few technical obstacles and little elevation, the gaps stayed small, making every acceleration, corner exit, and straight-line effort matter. Those final seconds between the top three riders show just how evenly matched the field was and how decisive that last-lap move turned out to be.
Throughout the race, there was no shortage of aggression. Multiple riders tried to break clear, launching attacks in an effort to thin out the group and avoid a big sprint at the end. Still, a core pack of seven riders remained mostly intact, thanks to the high speed and the strong drafting effect. When a rider sits in the slipstream of the one in front, they use less energy because the front rider cuts the wind for them. On a flat circuit like Kortrijk, this aerodynamic advantage makes it incredibly hard to ride away solo unless you pick your moment with absolute precision.
And this is where tactics get controversial in cyclocross. Was it smarter to attack early and try to shatter the group, or to sit in, conserve energy, and gamble everything on a late surge like Vandeputte did? Some fans argue that constant attacks make for more exciting racing, while others insist that the most intelligent riders are the ones who wait, observe, and strike only once when it truly counts.
One of the most active animators of the race was Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen–Altez Industriebouw). In the later laps, he repeatedly tried to stretch the front group, pushing the pace in an effort to crack those sitting on his wheel. Each time he hit the gas, he forced the riders behind to dig deep just to stay in his slipstream. For beginners watching, this is a great example of how a rider can try to “soften up” rivals before the final lap, even if those moves do not immediately create a winning gap.
But here’s where it gets interesting: despite Vanthourenhout’s aggression, it was the rider who kept his cards close to his chest—Vandeputte—who ultimately walked away with the win. This raises a fascinating question about race strategy. Is it fair to say that those who attack early do the “dirty work” while more patient riders reap the rewards? Or is patience itself a form of skill that deserves equal credit?
If you enjoy diving deeper into races like this—analyzing tactics, learning from rider decisions, and staying up to date with interviews, tech reviews, and expert buying guides—this kind of coverage is exactly what helps you see beyond just the final result. Understanding why the winning move worked is often just as exciting as knowing who crossed the line first.
So now it’s your turn: do you think Vandeputte’s late attack was a masterclass in timing, or do you side more with riders like Vanthourenhout, who animate the race early and often? Should cycling fans value bold long-range attacks more than last-lap sprints, or is a win a win, no matter how it’s achieved? Share your thoughts—who do you think raced the smartest in Kortrijk, and why?
