Sint Niklaas, Belgium – Bart Wellens took advantage of superstars Boom and Nys’ absence to take his first win of 2009. Americans were out in force and had a strong showing, with a huge group at the men’s start line, and junior Cody Kaiser’s close second place.
Wellens wasted no time in trying to seize the opportunity to get a win, and quickly escaped with Vervecken, Vantornout, and Groendaal. Vanthorenhout and Czechs Kloucek and Simunek chased, and only Simunek and Vantornout could stay with Wellens late in the race. Wellens outkicked both riders in the sprint. Jan Verstraeten had an impressive ride to move through the field and finish fourth.
The U.S. had an impressive thirteen starters, with Ryan Trebon and Jonathan Baker finishing 12th and 13th, respectively. As there wasn’t an espoir category, most of the Euro Cross Camp U23 and Elite field was in attendance, and camp member Danny Summerhill continued his strong campaign, finishing just behind Jeremy Powers and ahead of Powers’ teammate Jamey Driscoll.
In the junior race, Cody Kaiser of California finished an impressive second place, just 17 seconds behind Belgian Van De Velde, with Gavin Mannion and Eric Emsky finishing in the top ten, within a minute of the leader. The U.S. had six junior finishers.
Full Results:
1. Bart Wellens (Fidea) 56:13
2. Klaas Vantornout (Sunweb-Projob)
3. Radomir Simunek (Cze) (BKCP Power Plus) 0:17
4. Jan Verstraeten 0:27
5. Dieter Vanthourenhout 0:59
6. Gerben de Knegt (Ned) 1:03
7. Erwin Vervecken 1:06
8. Ben Berden 1:10
9. Richard Groenendaal (Ned) 1:14
10. Niels Albert 1:25
11. Kamil Ausbuher (Cze) 1:37
12. Ryan Trebon (USA) 1:52
13. Jonathan Baker (USA) 2:05
14. Tim Van Nuffel 2:19
15. Lukas Kloucek (Cze) 2:38
16. David Willemsens 2:52
17. Lubomir Petrus (Cze) 2:58
18. Geert Wellens 3:04
19. Jan Soetens 3:11
20. Mariusz Gil (Pol) 3:34
21. Jeremy Powers (USA) 3:37
22. Daniel Summerhil (USA)
23. Stijn Penne 3:43
24. James Driscoll (USA) 3:52
25. Unai Yus (Esp)
26. Molly Cameron (USA)
27. Nico Berckmans 4:09
28. Matthias Onghena 4:37
29. Brecht Lippens 5:00
30. Santiago Armero (Esp) 5:07
31. Patrick Bassez 5:12
32. Matt Shriver (USA) 5:14
33. Steven De Decker 5:29
34. Philipp Walsleben (Ger) 5:39
35. Brian Matter (USA)
36. Kendric Van Grembergen
37. Bart Barkhuis 6:43
38. William Dugan (USA) à 1 tour
39. Jeremy Ferguson (USA)
40. Robby Cobbaert
41. Andrew Llewellyn (USA)
42. David Hackworthy (USA)
43. Steve Gruwier
44. Freddy De Meester
45. Steven Galens
46. Steven De Schoesitter
47. David Quist (USA)
48. René Mertens at 2 laps
Juniors
1. Valentijn Van de Velde 39:30
2. Gody Kaiser (USA) 0:15
3. Xandro Meurisse 0:23
4. Gavin J Mannion (USA)
5. Gerry Druyts
6. Eric Emsky (USA) 0:45
7. Zeb Veestraeten 0:55
8. Tim Merlier 1:10
9. Guillaume Van Keirsbulck 1:15
10. Niels Wytinck
11. Wilco van Beusekom (Ned)
12. Kenzie Boutté 2:04
13. Joseph Dombrowski (USA)
14. Michael Peeters 2:15
15. Rinze De Proost 2:30
16. Emmanuel Goguren (USA) 2:40
17. Ingmar Uytdewilligen 2:50
18. Olivier Vandevyver 2:55
19. Dylan Desruelle 3:50
20. Tijs Van Aert
21. Stijn Heyse 4:15
22. Zyan Morgan (USA) 4:35
23. Andy Wagemans
24. Olivier Vernaet
25. Kenny Goossens 5:00
26. Robin Delanghe
27. Kris Vermeir
28. Jens Saey 5:25
29. Unai Martinez (Esp)
30. Kenneth Goossens
31. Kris Van Quaetem 6:00
32. Dries Bombeke
33. Olivier Smet
34. Elias Hoop 7:00
35. Jeroen Popelier at 1 lap
36. Jelle Bogaerts
37. Katrien Vermeiren
38. Jens Verleyen
39. Sandie Verriest
40. Chris Wallage
