The Dutchman Mathieu Van der Poel gleaned his first victory with the world champion jersey on his back by winning the Super 8 Classic on Saturday in Haacht in Belgium. The leader of the Alpecin team won ahead of the Frenchman Anthony Turgis and the Belgian Florian Vermeersch by controlling a small group in the sprint.

Having become world champion on August 6 in Glasgow, the grandson of Raymond Poulidor will have waited for his fourth race with the rainbow jersey to raise his arms. He must now take part in the mountain bike test event next Sunday in Elancourt with a view to the Paris Olympic Games where he aims to compete in both disciplines. Van der Poel is expected to finish his season with Paris-Tours on October 8.