Exact Cross Loenhout: Sanne Cant powers to her first win of the season

Sanne Cant (Crelan-Corendon) put her rivals to the sword at the Exact Cross Loenhout on Friday, powering clear of the field on the second of four laps to take her first win of the season, and her first victory since the Belgian national cyclo-cross title.

The win was also Cant's 125 victory of her incredible career, with Kristýna Zemanová (Brilon Racing Team MB) and Manon Bakker (Crelan–Corendon) completing the podium.

"Im very happy and it was a long fight in the last years to get here again and I'm very happy to be standing here," Cant said after her win.

The Belgian got off to a relatively slow start with both Zemanová and Bakker powering clear on the opening lap. The veteran Belgian rider was forced to close the gap and she used her experience perfectly during a muddy and technical course.

The top three were in a league of their own once Cant made connection with the two leaders at the end of the first lap, while Anna Kay was best of the rest in fourth, but 27 seconds in arrears, and with Lauren Molengraaf (Tormens Cyclocross Team) for company.

Cant looked to be struggling whenever Zemanová or Bakker stomped on the pedals but the 33-year-old turned the tables just before the pits on the second lap when she powered clear of her two closest rivals. Bakker, Cant's teammate, took a new bike, while Zemanová struggled to hold Cant's wheel through one of the countless muddy sections.

By the completion of the second lap Bakker was out of the picture, 11 seconds down and losing ground, as Zemanová clung to Cant for as long as she could.

However, by the start of the third lap, Cant's class and relentless pace began to tell with Zemanová distanced by close to five seconds. With a lap to go that lead had more than doubled, with Bakker racing for third as she looked to keep Kay off the podium.

At the finish line, Cant had more than enough time to celebrate before Zemanová took second, and her best result in Belgium this season.

"I felt really strong, and that's my favourite circuit here. So I really enjoyed the crazy atmosphere here. I felt strong but Sanne was better, so respect to her because she did a really good race," Zemanová said at the finish.

"She went faster and faster, and I stayed in second place," the 20-year-old added.