World Champion Marianne Vos takes the win in the first Cauberg cyclocross.
by Bart Hazen
Belgian Bart Wellens (Telenet-Fidea) has won the first Cauberg cyclocross in Valkenburg, the Netherlands. Wellens attacked from the start to win with a big lead over German champion Philipp Walsleben and Belgian champion Niels Albert. Bart Aernouts and Sven Nys completed the top five. For Wellens it was his first season win and his first win in a year since his last win in Oostmalle last year.
Wellens had a super day and attacked from the start. By the end of the first lap the Belgian already had a big lead on the first chasers Bart Aernouts and Phillipp Walsleben, followed by another chasing group with Niels Albert and Sven Nys.
Wellens continued his impressive solo and extended his lead lap by lap. In the chase Albert bridged up to Walsleben and Aernouts. Aernouts dropped and though the two BKCP-Powerplus teammates tried to close in on Wellens they didn’t succeed. With three laps to go Walsleben dropped Albert for second place.
“My legs felt great from the start and so I immediately attacked,” said Wellens. “This is my first win in a year. It really pleases me. This is a fair race on a beautiful but tough course. In the second lap I had a weak moment and waited for Walsleben but half a lap ahead I refound my best legs and decided to go for it. Now I am a bit afraid for tomorrow’s race in Oostmalle. But if you are able to win, than you will go for it and take it.”
Marianne Vos ends season with win in Valkenburg
Marianne Vos has ended her ’cross season with a win in the Cauberg cyclocross. The world champion dominated from the start to win with a big lead over Sanne van Paassen and Hanka Kupfernagel. Sanne Cant and Helen Wyman finished in fourth and fifth. Christine Vardaros finished in 17th place.
From the start Vos, Van Paassen and Kupfernagel broke clear from the field. Over halfway through the race Vos dropped her rivals to take her first win since her world title in Sankt-Wendel three weeks ago. Vos added this race to her program only a few days ago, after she lost the bike-off for the Track World Championships to Kirsten Wild. Vos will not compete in the final race of the season in Oostmalle tomorrow.
“It was a tough course,” said Vos. “A ’cross course on the Cauberg is special and it was very heavy. I was able to create a gap on the technical parts and could increase my lead on the fast sections. It’s a course with all facets of cyclocross. This race definitely has a future.”
Lars van der Haar takes U23 win
World Champion Lars van der Haar was outstanding in the U23 race. French champion Mathieu Boulo and Belgian champion Joeri Adams completed the podium.
Lars van der Haar took the hole shot followed by Arnaud Grand, Mathieu Boulo, Joeri Adams, Micki van Empel and David van der Poel. In the third lap Van der Haar broke clear and only Boulo was able to follow the Dutchman for one lap. Joeri Adams, who had a flat tire in the second lap, was the best of the rest for third place.
“This course was perfect for me, very technical,” declared Van der Haar. “The best strategy was to take the lead from the start and keep pressuring my rivals. The course is very beautiful and has potential for a future world cup or world championships. Luckily I had a good day. I hope I will have a good day tomorrow as well. I am in pole position in the GVA series and want to win it tomorrow in Oostmalle.”
Elite Men Photos:
Elite Women Photos:
U23 Photos:
MEN’S RESULTS:
1. Bart Wellens (Bel), 1:02:44
2. Philipp Walsleben (Ger), 1:03:16
3. Niels Albert (Bel), 1:03:41
4. Bart Aernouts (Bel), 1:03:58
5. Sven Nys (Bel), 1:04:07
6. Gerben De Knegt (Ned), 1:04:50
7. Martin Zlamalik (Cze), 1:05:44
8. Christian Heule (Sui), 1:06:13
9. Rob Peeters (Bel), 1:06:34
10. Thijs Van Amerongen (Ned), 1:06:45
11. Ian Field (Gbr), 1:07:15
12. Marco Bianco (Ita), 1:08:08
13. Patrick Van Leeuwen (Ned)
14. Ben Berden (Bel)
15. Eddy Van Ijzendoorn (Ned)
16. Francis Mourey (Fra)
17. Thijs Al (Ned)
18. Jimmy Tielens (Bel)
19. Petr Dlask (Cze)
20. Kevin Cant (Bel)
21. Wilant Van Gils (Ned)
22. René Birkenfeld (Ger)
23. Roy Van Heeswijk (Ned)
24. Tom De Kort (Bel)
25. Jordy Luisman (Ned)
26. Bart Verschueren (Bel)
27. Shaun Adamson (Can)
28. Piotr Antkowiak (Pol)
29. Grzegorz Grabarek (Pol)
