Marianne Vos has missed out on the chance to raise her hands at Track Worlds ©Bart Hazen
Alkmaar, Ned – Newly (re)crowned Cyclocross World Champion Marianne Vos competed today in a bike-off against fellow countrywoman Kirsten Wild for the honor of representing the Netherlands in the 2011 Track World Championships. Due to conflicting winter schedules, the two speedsters never had a chance to compete with each other, and so the decision for a place on the Dutch National Team came down to a closed-doors, mano-a-mano competition.
Wild, who has spent the previous two years riding for Cervelo Test Team, recently switched to AA Drink-Leontien.nl so that she could focus on her track build-up to the 2012 Olympics. Her focus on the track clearly payed off, as she bested just-off-the-cross-bike Vos in the three omnium events – 500m Time Trial, a flying lap, and a 3km Individual Pursuit.
“Off-day at the bike-off,” Vos said via twitter. “No omnium for me at the Worlds, Kirsten Wild will represent the Netherlands in Apeldoorn. A deserved win, good luck!” With the track championships now off her radar, Vos will turn her attention to the road season, and has her sights set on the September World Championships in Copenhagen. We like to think that’s just smart preparation for the ’cross season.
