The Dutch star was attempting to win the race in Belgium for the fourth time in five years.

Van der Poel battled with Belgian champion Toon Aerts for the majority of the race in cold and muddy conditions.

He was forced to pursue Aerts on two occasions after suffering punctures during the race, but both times was able to catch his rival.

Aerts hopes were dented by a crash on the penultimate lap, allowing van der Poel to lead heading into the eighth and final time around the course.

Van der Poel crossed the line in a winning time of 1 hour 05min 59sec, with Aerts crash leaving the Belgian 55 seconds adrift at the finish.

The runner-up did, however, move to the top of the overall World Cup standings, replacing compatriot Eli Iserbyt after he was forced to abandon.

The Netherlands’ Corne van Kessel rounded off the podium places after finishing 74 seconds behind the winner.

Britain’s multiple junior world champion Tom Pidcock missed out on his first elite podium at 16 seconds down on van Kessel after suffering a mechanical.

The Netherlands’ Lucinda Brand won the women’s race for the second consecutive year.

Brand was able to overcome her compatriot Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado over the five-lap event, breaking clear as race progressed.

She finished in a winning time of 45min 05sec.

Alvarado followed up her maiden World Cup victory last month by ending 16 seconds behind the winner.

An all-Dutch podium was completed by Annemarie Worst, 81 seconds behind the winner, with Britain’s Evie Richards fourth.

Czech Republic’s Kateřina Nash placed fifth to maintain her overall World Cup lead.

The World Cup is due continue with the third and final Belgian race of the season at Heusden-Zolder on Thursday (December 26).