Hi Bo'sun, I know it 'looks' ugly but I don't think its that too unhealthy for the belt. Where the teeth cross they don't seem to interfere with each other. Where the belt reaches the pulley the only effect is that the teeth land on one end first. It all looks quite comfortable really. Sure there is a little bit more stress and flexing in the belt but I'm sure it can handle that.
I think I have seen flat belts crossed like that before and a toothed belt isn't too far from a flat belt,… and it probably runs with less tension too. Certainly no signs of distress on my the belt after cutting five or six 40mm dia threads.
I did find reverse gears on baye for about £300 so at that price its twisted belts every time for me now .
Gerry