Laurens Sweeck Wins the U23 World Cup at Hoogerheide, Vanthournhout Takes Overall Title: Race Report, Full Results

Laurens Sweeck able to brush off the events of the last ten days to go on to win at Hoogerheide. © Thomas van Bracht / Cyclocross Magazine

Hoogerheide, Netherlands- Laurens Sweeck (Corendo – Kwadro) came mentally prepared to race against all odds today at the final stage of the World Cup, taking a win over fellow countryman Michael Vanthourenhout (Sunweb – Napoleon Games) and French rider Fabien Doubey. Vanthourenhout, however, was able to seal the overall win of the World Cup by over 5 points over Sweeck. Wout van Aert took third overall despite having ridden in the Elite category for multiple rounds.

Sweeck gave Vanthourenhout chase at Hoogerheide, and eventually overtook him. © Thomas van Bracht / Cyclocross Magazine

For the week before the race, Sweeck had plenty of ups and downs. He won the Belgian U23 Championship, but because his name was on file for an open investigation due to his connection with an ozone doctor, he was originally held out of the World Cup by the  the Royal Belgian Cycling Federation. In a last minute effort late in the week, he joined with Tom Meeusen in the Belgian Arbitrage for Sports and got the decision against him overturned.

Unlike Meeusen, Sweeck needed a good result in the World Cup to persuade the Belgian selection committee that he was the right choice to add to the Belgian U23 Worlds team. Cyclocross Magazine contributor, Christine Vardaros, informed us that Laurens Sweeck had been training the past ten days as if his participation in the World Cup was assured, and it turned out to be the smart move.

Fabien Doubey had a mid-race surge to reach the leaders, but couldn’t hold on as the two Belgians pulled away. © Thomas van Bracht / Cyclocross Magazine

In the U23 Race, Dutch Rider Stan Godrie (Rabo – Giant Offroad Team) took the holeshot, although Venturini and Sweeck did not linger far behind. The three had a small lead, and it looked as if Sweeck was in fine position to get the overall World Cup standing, if not for Vanthournhout’s ability to catch up to the leaders early in the second lap.

The leaders shed the holeshot-winning Godrie, and Vanthournhout and Sweeck were able to pull away from Venturini and late-comer Doubey.

Sweeck eventually attacked to solo ahead all the way to the finish line.

Drew Dillman was the top American finisher at Hoogerheide. © Thomas van Bracht / Cyclocross Magazine

Andrew Dillman was the first American rider across the line at 26th, finishing a little over five minutes back. Tobin Ortenblad was next in 30th, with Grant Ellwood pulled with one lap to go in 35th place. Sam O’Keefe took 40th, and lone Canadian U23 rider, Danick Vandale, finished 49th. Despite having a few riders contending for places in the U23 final standings, Great Britain had no riders show for the U23 race today.

Vanthourenhout secured an overall World Cup win with his second place today. © Thomas van Bracht / Cyclocross Magazine

Also available: the 2015 UCI World Cup at Hoogerheide, Elite Women’s Race report and Elite Men’s Race Report.

2014-15 World Cup, U23 Race at Hoogerheide Results

2014-15 World Cup, U23 Overall Standings