Kevin Pauwels came out on top this weekend. ©Bart Hazen
by Bart Hazen
LILLE, BELGIUM – Kevin Pauwels has won the GVA Trofee Krawatencross in Lille. The Telenet-Fidea rider was the fastest in the sprint over world champion Zdenek Stybar (Telenet-Fidea) and Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet). After the finish, Nys crashed into Pauwels while pulling the brakes to slow down. Belgian champion Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus) finished in fourth. Bart Wellens (Telenet-Fidea) rounded out the top five. Jonathan Page (Planet Bike), who became a father of his third child last week, had a solid ride and finished in 14th position.
From the start, Sven Nys took control of the race – followed by Stybar, Albert, Pauwels and Wellens. Nys increased the pressure on his rivals several times but was not able to drop the others. Turning into the penultimate lap Albert, Nys, Stybar, Pauwels and Wellens still had a chance to win the race.
Cyclocross stalwart Wellens attacked with less than two laps to go, but a mechanical problem ruined his chances. The big five turned into the final lap together but, despite several attacks by Stybar, a sprint was unavoidable. The world champion started the sprint early but clearly didn’t count on his teammate Pauwels’ kick, and the Belgian outsprinted him to the line. Due to the win, Pauwels comes within two points of GvA overall leader Nys, with the final race in Oostmalle in two weeks’ time.
Kevin Pauwels was surprised with his win. “I didn’t catch too much wind and therefore I could gain lots of speed. I wanted to pass Sven but never thought to beat Zdenek too. I am now close in the GvA ranking and everything is possible in Oostmalle.”
Sanne Cant Takes First International Win in Hometown
Belgian champ Sanne Cant looking strong, as always ©Bart Hazen
Dreams came true for Sanne Cant (BKCP-Powerplus) in her hometown of Lille. For her home crowd, the Belgian champion took the first international win in her career and the lead in the GvA Trofee. World champion Marianne Vos (Nederland Bloeit) and German champion Hanka Kupfernagel (Stevens) completed the international podium. British champion Helen Wyman (Kona) and Dutch Junior champion Sabrina Stultiens completed the top five. Cyclocross Magazine contributor Christine Vardaros (Baboco), who is still recovering from an injury, was anxious to start in the race and finished in 23rd.
From the start, Kupfernagel, Vos and Cant broke clear from the others. Halfway through the race Kupfernagel changed bikes, which didn’t go smoothly, and dropped off the break. In the penultimate lap the same happened with Vos, but the world champion was able to bridge up to Cant again. In the final lap Cant got rid of Vos after the world champion had to deal with a mechanical problem and was forced to run to the finish to secure the second place. Kupfermagel finished in third just behind Vos.
In the GvA standings Sanne Cant is now the new overall leader, followed by Wyman and Daphny van den Brand. The GvA leader before today’s race, Sanne van Paassen, who also claimed the World Cup overall, wasn’t able to start due to breathing problems.
Jim Aernouts Best in Lille U23 Race
Jim Aernouts takes the U23 win ©Bart Hazen
Former Belgian champion Jim Aernouts again had the chance to raise his hands this season. In Lille he finished solo after an interesting race. World champion Lars van der Haar won the sprint for second over Micki van Empel and Wietse Bosmans. GvA leader Joeri Adams finished in fifth and lost his overall series lead to teammate van der Haar.
From the start, Vincent Baestaens took control of the race. The KDL-Trans rider created a gap of about 10 seconds on a group with van der Haar, Eising, Aernouts, van Empel and Bosmans. Halfway through the race, Baestaens was reeled in by Aernouts, van der Haar and Eising. The latter one dropped off the break due to a flat tire and van der Haar had a botched bike change. Due to that, Baestaens and Aernouts remained in the lead. It looked likely to become an interesting battle between the two Belgians until Baestaens had to deal with a mechanical problem with three laps to go. For Aernouts it was his fifth win of the season after Ruddervoorde, Hamme-Zogge, Hasselt and Stabroek.
Photo Gallery:
Elite Men
| Pos | Name | Nat | Result | Points |
| 1 | Kevin Pauwels (Telenet Fidea Cycling Team) | BEL | 00:58:47 | 25 |
| 2 | Zdenek Stybar (Telenet Fidea Cycling Team) | CZE | 22 | |
| 3 | Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet) | BEL | 19 | |
| 4 | Niels Albert (Bkcp – Powerplus) | BEL | 00:00:02 | 17 |
| 5 | Bart Wellens (Telenet Fidea Cycling Team) | BEL | 16 | |
| 6 | Klaas Vantornout (Sunweb – Revor) | BEL | 00:01:26 | 15 |
| 7 | Tom Meeusen (Telenet Fidea Cycling Team) | BEL | 00:01:31 | 14 |
| 8 | Sven Vanthourenhout (Sunweb – Revor) | BEL | 00:01:36 | 13 |
| 9 | Dieter Vanthourenhout (Bkcp – Powerplus) | BEL | 00:01:44 | 12 |
| 10 | Rob Peeters (Telenet Fidea Cycling Team) | BEL | 00:02:20 | 11 |
| 11 | Jan Denuwelaere (Rendement Hypo Cycling Team) | BEL | 00:02:24 | 10 |
| 12 | Kenneth Van Compernolle (Style & Concept Cycling Team) | BEL | 9 | |
| 13 | Thijs Al (AA Drink) | NED | 00:02:47 | 8 |
| 14 | Jonathan Page (AA Drink) | USA | 00:02:50 | 7 |
| 15 | Ben Berden (Champion System) | BEL | 00:02:59 | 6 |
| 16 | Eddy Van Yzendoorn (Baboco – Revor Cycling Team) | NED | 5 | |
| 17 | Marco Bianco (Sdc-Rogelli Cycling Team) | ITA | 00:03:02 | 4 |
| 18 | Gerben De Knegt (Avb – Cycling Team) | NED | 00:03:19 | 3 |
| 19 | Petr Dlask (Van Goethem – Prorace) | CZE | 00:03:25 | 2 |
| 20 | Philipp Walsleben (Flemisch Cycling Projects) | GER | 1 | |
| 21 | Thijs Van Amerongen (Telenet Fidea Cycling Team) | NED | 00:03:30 | 0 |
| 22 | Francis Mourey (Telenet Fidea Cycling Team) | FRA | 00:03:48 | 0 |
| 23 | Robert Gavenda (Landbouwkrediet) | SVK | 00:03:51 | 0 |
| 24 | Stijn Huys (Bkcp – Powerplus) | BEL | 00:04:04 | 0 |
| 25 | Mariusz Gil (Telenet Fidea Cycling Team) | POL | 0 | |
| 26 | Christian Heule (Telenet Fidea Cycling Team) | SWI | 00:04:26 | 0 |
| 27 | Kevin Cant (Landbouwkrediet) | BEL | 00:04:32 | 0 |
| 28 | Patrick Van Leeuwen (Telenet Fidea Cycling Team) | NED | 00:04:49 | 0 |
| 29 | Gianni Denolf (Telenet Fidea Cycling Team) | BEL | 00:04:55 | 0 |
| 30 | Bart Verschueren (Bkcp – Powerplus) | BEL | 00:05:12 | 0 |
| 31 | Kendric Van Grembergen (Telenet Fidea Cycling Team) | BEL | 00:05:19 | 0 |
| 32 | Dave De Cleyn (Sunweb – Revor) | BEL | 0 | |
| 33 | Tim Van Nuffel (Telenet Fidea Cycling Team) | BEL | 00:05:24 | 0 |
| 34 | Mike Thielemans (Rabobank-Giant Off Road Team) | BEL | 00:05:29 | 0 |
| 35 | Martin Zlamalik (Telenet Fidea Cycling Team) | CZE | 0 | |
| 37 | Steven De Decker (Bkcp – Powerplus) | BEL | 0 | |
| 38 | Mitchell Huenders (Sunweb – Revor) | NED | 0 | |
| 39 | Jimmy Tielens (Rabobank-Giant Off Road Team) | BEL | 0 | |
| 40 | Wilant Van Gils (Bkcp – Powerplus) | NED | 0 |
Elite Women:
| Pos | Name | Nat | Result | Points |
| 1 | Sanne Cant (Bkcp – Powerplus) | BEL | 00:38:01 | 25 |
| 2 | Marianne Vos (Nederland Bloeit) | NED | 00:00:43 | 22 |
| 3 | Hanka Kupfernagel (Stevens) | GER | 19 | |
| 4 | Helen Wyman (Kona) | GBR | 00:01:28 | 17 |
| 5 | Sabrina Stultiens (Zzpr.nl-Destil) | NED | 16 | |
| 6 | Nikki Harris (Baboco – Revor Cycling Team) | GBR | 00:02:02 | 15 |
| 7 | Pavla Havlikova (Bkcp – Powerplus) | CZE | 00:02:42 | 14 |
| 8 | Joyce Vanderbeken (Kona) | BEL | 00:03:08 | 13 |
| 9 | Arenda Grimberg (Zzpr.nl-Destil) | NED | 00:03:30 | 12 |
| 10 | Daphny Van Den Brand (Brainwash) | NED | 00:03:42 | 11 |
| 11 | Reza Hormes-Ravenstijn (Nederland Bloeit) | NED | 00:03:53 | 10 |
| 12 | Nicole De Bie-Leyten (Zzpr.nl) | BEL | 00:04:09 | 9 |
| 13 | Tessa Van Nieuwpoort (The Chainstay-Renner) | NED | 00:04:13 | 8 |
| 14 | Nancy Bober (Baboco – Revor Cycling Team) | BEL | 00:04:26 | 7 |
| 15 | Sophie De Boer (Hudz-Subaru) | NED | 00:04:37 | 6 |
| 16 | Ellen Van Loy (Bob’s Red Mill p) | BEL | 00:04:45 | 5 |
| 17 | Karen Verhestraeten (Fischer-BMC) | BEL | 00:05:08 | 4 |
| 18 | Hilde Quintens (Benelux Team) | BEL | 00:05:21 | 3 |
| 19 | Nathalie Nijns (Edegem Bicycle Club V.z.w.) | BEL | 00:05:31 | 2 |
| 20 | Anja Geldhof (WV Eemland) | BEL | 00:05:42 | 1 |
| 21 | Katrien Aerts (Onmouseout) | BEL | 00:05:51 | 0 |
| 22 | Lana Verberne (Onclick) | NED | 00:06:16 | 0 |
| 23 | Christine Vardaros (–) | USA | 00:06:45 | 0 |
| 25 | Anja Nobus (–) | BEL | 0 | |
| 26 | Kristien Nelen (–) | BEL | 0 | |
| 28 | Katrien Thijs (–) | BEL | 0 | |
| 29 | Katrien Vermeiren (–) | BEL | 0 | |
| 30 | Liisi Rist (–) | EST | 0 | |
| 31 | Britt Jochems (–) | NED | 0 | |
| 32 | Caren Commissaris (–) | BEL | 0 | |
| 33 | Liga Smite (–) | LAT | 0 | |
| 35 | Jaanice Geyskens (–) | BEL | 0 | |
| 36 | Valerie Boonen (–) | BEL | 0 | |
| 37 | Greete Steinburg (–) | EST | 0 |
U23:
| Pos | Name | Nat | Result | Points |
| 1 | Jim Aernouts (Sunweb – Revor) | BEL | 00:54:17 | 25 |
| 2 | Lars Van Der Haar (Rabo – Giant Offroad Team.) | NED | 00:00:27 | 22 |
| 3 | Micki Van Empel (Telenet Fidea Cycling Team) | NED | 00:00:30 | 19 |
| 4 | Wietse Bosmans (Bkcp – Powerplus) | BEL | 00:00:32 | 17 |
| 5 | Joeri Adams (Rabo – Giant Offroad Team.) | BEL | 00:00:47 | 16 |
| 6 | Tijmen Eising (Sunweb – Revor) | NED | 00:01:07 | 15 |
| 7 | Jens Adams (Bkcp – Powerplus) | BEL | 00:01:20 | 14 |
| 8 | Matthieu Boulo (Sunweb – Revor) | FRA | 00:01:36 | 13 |
| 9 | Vinnie Braet (Sunweb – Revor) | BEL | 00:01:53 | 12 |
| 10 | Jiri Polnicky (Bkcp – Powerplus) | CZE | 00:02:14 | 11 |
| 11 | David Van Der Poel (Sunweb – Revor) | NED | 10 | |
| 12 | Sven Beelen (Rabo – Giant Offroad Team.) | BEL | 9 | |
| 13 | Emiel Dolfsma (Sunweb – Revor) | NED | 8 | |
| 14 | Stef Boden (Team Kuota – Senges) | BEL | 00:02:16 | 7 |
| 15 | Marcel Meisen (Apb Cycling Team) | GER | 00:02:30 | 6 |
| 16 | Ruben Veestraeten (Zzpr.nl) | BEL | 5 | |
| 17 | Kobus Herijgers | NED | 00:02:41 | 4 |
| 18 | Corné Van Kessel (Apb Cycling Team) | NED | 00:02:42 | 3 |
| 19 | Kristof Cop | BEL | 00:02:52 | 2 |
| 20 | Jens Gys (Koninklijke Hoboken W.a.c. V.z.w.) | BEL | 1 | |
| 21 | Ingmar Uytdewilligen (Sunweb – Revor) | BEL | 00:03:08 | 0 |
| 22 | Angelo De Clercq (Kdl Trans – Your Mover) | BEL | 00:03:31 | 0 |
| 23 | Raf Risbourg (Palmans – Cras) | BEL | 00:03:32 | 0 |
| 24 | Stijn Mortelmans (Baboco – Revor Cycling Team) | BEL | 0 | |
| 25 | Floris De Tier (Telenet Fidea Cycling Team) | BEL | 0 | |
| 26 | Arnaud Grand (Apb Cycling Team) | SWI | 00:03:45 | 0 |
| 27 | Niels Koyen (Van Goethem – Prorace – Cycling Team) | BEL | 00:04:00 | 0 |
| 28 | Jelle Cant (Baboco – Revor Cycling Team) | BEL | 00:04:04 | 0 |
| 29 | Ritchie Denolf (Sport En Steun – Leopoldsburg) | BEL | 00:04:08 | 0 |
| 30 | Sieën Veestraeten (Heylen Meubelcentrale Zlwc St.truiden) | BEL | 00:04:17 | 0 |
| 31 | Jeffrey Mellemans (Sport En Steun – Leopoldsburg) | BEL | 00:04:24 | 0 |
| 32 | Zeb Veestraeten (Baboco – Revor Cycling Team) | BEL | 0 | |
| 33 | Robin Poelvoorde | BEL | 1 Lap | 0 |
| 34 | Kenny Maes (Kdl Trans – Your Mover) | BEL | 2 Laps | 0 |
| 35 | Hendrik Sweeck (Landbouwkrediet) | BEL | 0 | |
| 36 | Mathieu Willemyns (Koninklijke Hoboken W.a.c. V.z.w.) | BEL | 0 | |
| 37 | Bart Barkhuis | NED | 0 | |
| 38 | Lex Reichling (Hageland Cycling Team) | LUX | 3 Laps | 0 |
| 39 | Max Podschun (Revor Cycling Team) | GER | 0 | |
| 40 | Nick Van Dijke (Kon. Balen B.c. V.z.w.) | NED | 0 | |
| 41 | Kevin Neirynck (Jonge Rakkers Vollezele) | BEL | 0 | |
| 42 | Mathias Van Der Sanden | BEL | 0 | |
| 43 | Mike Van Aken (Sport En Steun – Leopoldsburg) | BEL | 0 | |
| 44 | Jordy Van Staeyen (Rabobank-Giant Off Road Team) | BEL | 4 Laps | 0 |
| 45 | Rutger Lahaye (Rabobank-Giant Off Road Team) | BEL | 0 | |
| 46 | Pieter Dewitte (Bkcp – Powerplus) | BEL | 0 | |
| 47 | Bert Vermeiren (Bkcp – Powerplus) | BEL | 0 | |
| 48 | Laurent Reichling | LUX | 0 | |
| 49 | Klaas Vankersschaever (Zzpr.nl) | BEL | 0 | |
| 50 | Robin Delanghe | BEL | 5 Laps | 0 |
| 51 | Kenneth Goossens (Jonge Rakkers Vollezele) | BEL | 0 | |
| 52 | Mitchell Van Der Haas | NED | 0 | |
| 53 | Joachim Janssens (Cyclocrossteam Freddy Sport Dilbeek) | BEL | 0 | |
| 54 | Ruben Van Dingenen | BEL | 0 |
