Mathieu van der Poel, shown here at the 2014 Koksijde UCI Cyclocross World Cup, will not be racing with the U23 men at Worlds but will battle the Nys and the Elite Men. © Bart Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
Update: Wout van Aert has announced he will race Elite at Worlds, following Mathieu van der Poel’s decision.
by Michael van den Ham
As we head in to the final stretch of the season, looking forward to the 2015 Cyclocross World Championships, we took a look at the contenders that will be wearing the American colors for the for separate events. While today we look at some of the other national championships around the world, there are a few important items to note heading to the Czech Republic. Despite taking a number of impressive wins in the Men’s Elite races this season, and more importantly, the Dutch National Jersey of the Men’s Elite Championship, Mathieu van der Poel has already declared that he will race in the U23 race this year. Update: Mathieu van der Poel has now has reversed his decision and declared he will race with the Elite Men.
One of his largest young rivals, Wout van Aert, is still undecided, is ready to make his final decision this Friday.
Netherlands
In the women’s race, Marianna Vos stormed to yet another national title ahead of Sophie De Boer (Kalas-NNOF) and Sabrina Stultiens (Brainwash Wielerploeg). This victory marks the fifth cyclocross national championships for the 27 year old Vos and leaves us asking, will anyone be able to challenge Vos for the world title in Tabor?
Foto van de Week! @marianne_vos is voor de 5e x op rij Nederlands kampioene veldrijden! Wat is jou foto van de week? pic.twitter.com/rM2aLktOQ4
— Team Brabant Sport (@TMBrabantSport) January 12, 2015
One hour later, Mathieu Van Der Poel (BKCP — Powerplus) continued his excellent form to take his first elite victory in the Dutch National Championships on a course filled with long running sections.
His older brother David van der Poel (BKCP — Powerplus) came across the line for second.
brothers @mathieuvdpoel & @Davidvanderpoel 1st and 2nd Dutch Championship @KNWU cycle cross, pic after finish taken pic.twitter.com/ssveqwU27h
— Paul Raats (@PaulRaats) January 11, 2015
Two-time defending champion, Lars van der Haar (Giant – Alpecin) had to settle for third.
In typical good humour, van der Haar tweeted:
AU… Everything hurts from the race yesterday. Walking is almost impossible. Off to schiphol this afternoon to Spain. Someone carry me!? ;p
— Lars van der Haar (@larsvanderhaar) January 12, 2015
The race was also the first for van der Haar in his new Giant-Alpecin kit. On Monday, Van der Haar boarded a plane for Spain to train with the team for the upcoming road season.
Following his victory, van der Poel annouced that he would forgo a chance at the Under-23 World title to race with the Elites in just his second year out of junior.
Final decision made. I will start the world championship in the Elite category! #stoked
— Mathieuvanderpoel (@mathieuvdpoel) January 12, 2015
According to Het Nieusblad, van der Poel’s main U23 rival, Wout Van Aert (Vastgoedservice — Golden Palace), has made a decisions on whether he will race as a U23 or an Elite, but will not reveal it until this upcoming Friday. With van der Poel moving up, we’re predicting Van Aert will as well.
Update: Our prediction was correct:
Did a nice sprint training in the woods this morning. New goals are coming! #elite #worlds #nevergiveup pic.twitter.com/XCYIcTyExh
— Wout van Aert (@WoutvanAert) January 16, 2015
Great Britain
Helen Wyman (Kona) brought home a ninth national title after winning the much anticipated battle between her and Nikki Harris (Telenet — Fidea) in Abergavenny Wales. Harris has been coming across the line ahead of Wyman more times than not this season, but Wyman demonstrated her improving form before Worlds to earn yet another British title.
After riding together for the first half of the race, Wyman escaped from Harris with 3 laps to go and grew her advantage to 28 seconds at the finish. 2012 London Olympian and Mountain bike star, Annie Last (Individual) came across the line a further 1:15 back to claim bronze.
What a great battle. Thank you @2015_Cyclocross pic.twitter.com/wDIHXRybXX
— Helen Wyman (@CXHelen) January 11, 2015
On the Men’s side, Ian Field (Hargroves Cycles Ridley RT) rode to his forth consecutive title on the muddy, tree filled course course 40 seconds ahead of Liam Killeen (Specialized UK) and a minute ahead of Lewis Craven (Wheelbase Altura MGD). Field began to distance Killeen after a fast third lap and stayed after for the remainder of the race. Killeen managed to cut into Field’s lead on the final lap, but the effort was not enough to stop the pre-race favorite, Field, from another win.
Really proud to win my 4th consecutive British CX title today! Thank you @HargrovesRT @UKmadison @digdeepcoaching for the massive support.
— Ian Field (@FieldyCX) January 11, 2015
Germany
20 year old, Jessica Lambracht improved on last years fifth place to win the woman’s jersey by nearly a minute over Lisa Heckmann and Sabine Epitz. Defending champion, Hanka Kupfernagel had to settle for fourth.
Die neue deutsche Meisterin im Cyclocross: Jessica Lambracht! https://t.co/htMqUnjBUn pic.twitter.com/dyHwUS4bVN
— le_kreuzbube (@le_kreuzbube) January 11, 2015
In the men’s race, Marcel Meisen (Kwadaro-Stannah) demolished the rest of the field, including defending champion, Philip Walsleben (BKCP — Powerplus), to win by minutes on route to his first elite title. Sascha Weber earned the second step of the podium, and Walseben the third.
