Exact Cross: Niels Vandeputte takes over for teammate Mathieu van der Poel atop podium in Maldegem

Orts’ chances of taking the win came to an end on the final lap when he narrowly avoided crashing in the sand and had to expend energy to chase back to the two Belgians.

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The weather was mild for the second to last race of the Exact Cross series in Maldegem. Kevin Kuhn took the hole shot but the race remained together for more than half the race.

Vanthourenhout and teammate Gerben Kuypers attacked on lap 6 but were chased down by Orts, who looked to be one of the strongest riders on the day.

The sand claimed Kuypers on the next lap, then Vanthourenhout late in the day, leaving Vandeputte, Wyseure and Orts at the front.

Wyseure led into the final lap but couldn’t match Vandeputte when he poured on the pace, and had to settle for second.

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