The 2016 Azencross Loenhout stop of the Ijsboerke Ladies Trophy cyclocross series, the women’s side of the DVV Verkzekeringen Trofee series, like the men’s Azencross race won by Wout van Aert, brought late-race excitement, but without the neck-bruising crash of Mathieu van der Poel.
Although typical North America-based contenders including Katerina Nash, Katie Compton and Amanda Miller were missing from the start line, just as with the men’s race, top European favorites had their hands full with motivated contenders. Belgian National Champion Sanne Cant, current World Champion Thalita de Jong and seven-time World champion Champion Marianne Vos did all they could to hold off a strong Laura Verdonschot as she led the chase of the top three and was oh-so-close to a podium spot, ahead of Lucinda Brand and Ellen van Loy.
Watch the full race in the video above.
Need even more drama? Watch the Elite Men’s race video from Azencross here.
