The 1998 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships were held in Middelfart, Denmark on Saturday 31 January 1998.
Meanwhile in the background his fellow countryman Erwin Vervecken was controlling the chasing group with ease, sacrificing personal gain for the nation.
Parrying every attack, Vervecken managed to play out his own cards in the final climb and raced to a silver medal.
Henrik Djernis took the bronze with Daniele Pontoni crashing while trying to pass the Dane in the last line.
The gathered crowd of 5,000 saw a repeat of the year before with Sven Nys and Bart Wellens claiming gold and silver.