Dutch rider Joris Nieuwenhuis took his third win of the season at the fourth round of the Telenet Superprestige in Merksplas on Saturday.

The Ridley Racing rider suffered a poor start, crashing on the opening circuit, but battled back to a five-man leading group on the fifth of nine laps.

After a combative couple of circuits, the Dutchman attacked solo, squeezing the life out of his opponents and edging ahead.

He beat Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Deceuninck) by six seconds, with Emiel Verstrynge (Crelan-Corendon) in third.

Having started the day second in the Superprestige overall ranking, Vandeputte moves into the series lead.

Previous leader Michael Vantourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Altez Industriebouw) had a bad day, finishing eighth.

How It Unfolded

Merksplas hosted round four of the 2025/26 Telenet Superprestige on Saturday.

The Aarbeiencross covered nine laps of a technical 2.9km circuit, with an increasing amount of mud, planks, and a sandpit adding spice late on each lap.

Joran Wyesure (Crelan-Corendon) was in the first bend at the front of the race but was soon overtaken by Pim Ronhaar (Baloise-Glowi Lions).

It was his teammate, Belgian champion Thibau Nys, who led over the planks halfway round the lap.

Nys was still at the front at the end of the opening lap as the race began to stretch out.

A group of around 15 riders formed in a single file behind the Belgian.

A bike change set Nys back on the second lap, though he remained inside the leading five.

Jente Michels (Alpecin-Deceuninck Development) led across the line at the end of lap two.

Over the planks on the third lap, British champion Cameron Mason (Seven Racing) took advantage of Ronhaar’s dismount and attacked.

Mason led through the sandpit and took Michels with him, the pair taking a small lead onto lap four.

Though he slipped backwards slightly over the ensuing lap, the Scotsman split the race and was part of a group of only five as lap five began.

Mason, Nys, Michels, teammate Niels Vandeputte, and Emiel Verstrynge were eventually joined by Nieuwenhuis, the group working to build a conclusive lead.

As the race progressed, Nys made a move, but as it had been all race, the sand proved his undoing.

As he and Mason struggled to regain contact with the leaders, pressure from Nieuwenhuis saw gaps open.

When the Dutch rider attacked, there was no catching him.
Nieuwenhuis rode away from his rivals with authority, building a gap that grew lap by lap.

The 29-year-old from Achterhoek showed remarkable resilience after his early crash.

His ability to chase back and then attack demonstrated his strong form and tactical awareness.

Vandeputte finished second for the second consecutive Superprestige round.

His consistent results move him into the overall series lead with five rounds remaining.

Verstrynge completed the podium in third place, continuing his solid season.

The Crelan-Corendon rider has been a regular top-five finisher in Superprestige races.

Mason faded in the final laps after his strong early showing.
The British champion still put in an impressive performance on the technical Belgian circuit.

Nys struggled in the sandpit throughout the race.

The Belgian champion’s difficulties in the sand cost him a chance at victory.

The muddy conditions played into Nieuwenhuis’ strengths as a powerful rider.

He used the technical sections to apply pressure and force errors from his rivals.

Nieuwenhuis now has three wins this cyclocross season.
He previously won rounds in other series earlier in the campaign.

Vandeputte’s move into the series lead gives him momentum heading into the next rounds.

The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider has been the model of consistency in the Superprestige.

Vantourenhout’s eighth-place finish was a disappointing result for the former series leader.

The Belgian will need to bounce back quickly to stay in contention for the overall title.

The next round of the Superprestige takes place in the coming weeks.

Nieuwenhuis will look to build on his momentum, Vandeputte to extend his series lead, and Vantourenhout to return to form.

The technical nature of the Merksplas circuit provided great racing for fans.

The combination of mud, sand, and planks tested every aspect of the riders’ skills.

Nieuwenhuis’ comeback from an early crash to a dominant victory showcases the unpredictable nature of cyclocross racing.

In this sport, races are never decided until the final lap.