Heading into Sunday’s Elite Men’s World Cup Waterloo, fans in Waterloo had a sense another battle between Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) and Toon Aerts (Telenet Baloise Lions) could be in order. Iserbyt was the top man at the Jingle Cross World Cup last weekend, but Aerts was headed to his team sponsor’s home and a venue where he won against Wout van Aert (Jumbo – Visma) in 2018.
Different than last weekend was the mud. Overnight rains turned the Wisconsin venue into something resembling Belgium in the winter.
It was a day to rival any Belgian muddy race. The pits were busy washing bikes like Kerry Werner’s (pictured). 2019 World Cup Waterloo, Elite Men. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
After the race, Iserbyt talked about riding in the sloppy conditions—”Keeping my balance and staying on my bike was really tricky. The bike went all over the place, and I just had to follow the bike. I didn’t choose my lines, but the bike chose them for me.”
In Lap 2, Iserbyt’s bike took him into a course stake and to the ground, but he then bounced back to take the lead in Lap 4 and attack Aerts to solidify his advantage and take the win.
Iserbyt is 2-for-2 in the U.S. 2019 World Cup Waterloo, Elite Men. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
Aerts followed with his second second in as many weekends.
Aerts navigated the mud to second. 2019 World Cup Waterloo. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
We chatted with both riders after the race. You can listen to our interviews below. We also spoke with the top two finishers in the Elite Women’s race.
