Long-time adversaries Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) are so well matched in cyclocross ability that the slightest technical error can tip the pendulum to the other side.

Take, for example, Tuesday's Superprestige Heusden-Zolder in eastern Belgium. Van der Pol, fresh off his solo victory over the Belgian champion in the World Cup Gavel the day before, made two technical errors and the Dutch star conceded victory to van Aert in a thrilling two-up sprint on the motorsport tarmac of the Zolder circuit.

Van Aert, racing on his home turf, took the win on the second day of the Kerstperiode. This Kerstperiode is a period of cyclocross racing with 10 races held over a two-week period between Christmas and New Year's. Van der Pol slipped off his pedals at the critical moment and had to settle for second place. Lars van der Haar (Baloise Trek Lions) took the last spot on the podium.

After leaving their rivals behind on the first lap, the two cyclocross superstars went back-and-forth on the muddy, technical course.

Van der Pol, looking for a solo victory like he had the day before at Gavere, accelerated before the muddy descent and tried to shake Van Aert off. Alpecin Deceuninck went off course and into the trees, getting his feet caught in the sand. Van der Pol eventually got back on Van Aart's wheel, but his chance to post up alone was virtually gone.

The two riders were ready for a drag race-style sprint down Zolder Raceway, but Van der Pol's earlier mishap caused his cleats to get covered in sand and mud, and his pedals came off while winding up to the line.

"I tried to make a difference in the last technical part. It didn't work out, so it came down to a sprint," van der Pol told Sporza.be (open in new tab). For a long time I felt we were evenly matched, but unfortunately I went off the pedal. It's a shame we didn't get to try [sprinting]. The Zolder is a difficult race to throw someone equally good off the handlebars. We'll see tomorrow."

Van Aert was pleased with how he read the Zolder showdown with his rivals. He entered the final lap behind Van der Pol and kept a low profile.

"In the last part of the race, [Van der Pol] kept putting pressure on me, but this time I was able to keep my cool and avoid making mistakes. Speaking to Sporza.be after the race, Van Aert said, "I am very happy and proud of this victory.

"The feeling (referring to the World Cup Gaberle the day before) was already much better today," he said.

"I think I rested a little too much last weekend; two days off might be bad for my legs."

The two riders will get another chance to compete in the Superprestige Diegem on Wednesday night. The elite men's race will start at 8:45 p.m. Central European Time.