The first all-snow UCI Cyclocross World Cup was everything that we hoped for. A fun and exciting new environment that challenged the riders’ skill and endurance.
Unlike in the women’s race, however, we didn’t get a thrilling nailbiter. Instead, we got a dominant ride, similar to what we saw at the 2021 Cyclocross Nationals’ final day.
Michael Vanthourenhout had a strong lead early into the race with Eli Iserbyt and Wout van Aert close on his trail.
You could see this round-up coming, right? 😜 Relive yesterday’s races through these beauties ⛄️ #CXWorldCup pic.twitter.com/AV1aBnIJbl
— UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup (@UCIcyclocrossWC) December 13, 2021
Van Aert eventually passed Iserbyt and Vanthourenhout and then was gone. Even though Van Aert slipped on the snow and had trouble getting stable, he still kept his lead to victory, making it three wins in a row since he returned to cyclocross.
Ultimo giro! Van Aert is ready for 1 more lap in Val di Sole ❄️🇮🇹. He has a gap of 43 seconds on Vanthourenhout #CXWorldCup
📸@cyclephotos pic.twitter.com/whZ9Kc7Jku— UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup (@UCIcyclocrossWC) December 12, 2021
Vanthourenhout was behind and needed to defend his second place. After a massive slip by Iserbyt, Vanthourenhout took advantage and secured his second place.
While Van Aert is accelerating in front, Vanthourenhout is defending his 2nd place at 30 seconds. Pidcock and Iserbyt are fighting to get on the podium⚔️ #CXWorldCup pic.twitter.com/jH3ksoZpJ5
— UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup (@UCIcyclocrossWC) December 12, 2021
After the slip, Iserbyt and Tom Pidcock fought for a spot on the podium. It was a close match but with all the snow, Iserbyt slipped again. This hiccup gave Pidcock third place.
Iserbyt is giving his all to catch Pidcock, but the pressure forces him to make mistakes. 📺 Follow the action 👉 https://t.co/vHcqDg15CP #CXWorldCup pic.twitter.com/mvufFlcHkp
— UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup (@UCIcyclocrossWC) December 12, 2021
Wout van Aert finished first, followed by Michael Vanthourenhout in second. With a close battle between Tom Pidcock and Eli Iserbyt, Pidcock took the podium.
Wout van Aert finds his way through the Italian snow and wins in Val di Sole! 🇮🇹 💪
Michael Vanthourenhout 🥈, Tom Pidcock 🥉. #CXWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Md6LvfeKa1— UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup (@UCIcyclocrossWC) December 12, 2021
Wout van Aert is currently three-for-three in his return: Val di Sole, Ethias Cross – Robotland Cyclocross Essen, and the Telenet Superprestige Boom.
See the brief highlights and full results below.
This is how @WoutvanAert won his first UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup round of the season: with a solo ride in the Italian snow of Val di Sole 🇮🇹❄️ #CXWorldCup pic.twitter.com/VEfjWmtJkL
— UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup (@UCIcyclocrossWC) December 12, 2021
2021 Val di Sole UCI Cyclocross World Cup Results: Elite Men
| Pos | Nr | Name / UCI Cyclocross Team | NAT | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | VAN AERT Wout JUMBO-VISMA | BEL | 59:27 | - |
| 2 | 6 | VANTHOURENHOUT Michael PAUWELS SAUZEN - BINGOAL | BEL | 1:00:16 | +0:49 |
| 3 | 32 | PIDCOCK Thomas INEOS GRENADIERS | GBR | 1:00:55 | +1:28 |
| 4 | 4 | ISERBYT Eli PAUWELS SAUZEN - BINGOAL | BEL | 1:01:11 | +1:44 |
| 5 | 5 | HERMANS Quinten TORMANS CYCLO CROSS TEAM | BEL | 1:01:42 | +2:15 |
| 6 | 9 | VANDEPUTTE Niels ALPECIN - FENIX | BEL | 1:01:43 | +2:16 |
| 7 | 14 | KUHN Kevin TORMANS CYCLO CROSS TEAM | SUI | 1:01:56 | +2:29 |
| 8 | 8 | SOETE Daan CX TEAM DESCHACHT-GROUP HENS-CONTAINERS MAES | BEL | 1:02:13 | +2:46 |
| 9 | 10 | VANDEBOSCH Toon PAUWELS SAUZEN - BINGOAL | BEL | 1:03:03 | +3:36 |
| 10 | 2 | VAN KESSEL Corne TORMANS CYCLO CROSS TEAM | NED | 1:03:19 | +3:52 |
| 11 | 7 | BAESTAENS Vincent CX TEAM DESCHACHT-GROUP HENS-CONTAINERS MAES | BEL | 1:03:25 | +3:58 |
| 12 | 12 | SWEECK Diether IKO - CRELAN | BEL | 1:03:44 | +4:17 |
| 13 | 11 | MEEUSEN Tom CX TEAM DESCHACHT-GROUP HENS-CONTAINERS MAES | BEL | 1:03:45 | +4:18 |
| 14 | 34 | MEISEN Marcel ALPECIN - FENIX | GER | 1:04:09 | +4:42 |
| 15 | 23 | FONTANA Filippo | ITA | 1:05:30 | +6:03 |
| 16 | 18 | BERTOLINI Gioele | ITA | 1:05:41 | +6:14 |
| 17 | 20 | DORIGONI Jakob | ITA | 1:05:41 | +6:14 |
| 18 | 26 | COMINELLI Cristian | ITA | 1:06:32 | +7:05 |
| 19 | 33 | TURNER Ben TRINITY RACING | GBR | 1:07:05 | +7:38 |
| 20 | 27 | LEONE Samuele SELLE ITALIA - GUERCIOTTI - ELITE | ITA | 1:07:18 | +7:51 |
| 21 | 13 | HUBY Antoine CROSS TEAM LEGENDRE | FRA | 1:07:37 | +8:10 |
| 22 | 21 | SAMPARISI Nicolas | ITA | 1:07:54 | +8:27 |
| 23 | 31 | PETRUS Lubomir | CZE | 1:08:10 | +8:43 |
| 24 | 15 | OPPIZZI Matteo | SUI | 1:08:45 | +9:18 |
| 25 | 25 | FOLCARELLI Antonio | ITA | -1 LAP | |
| 26 | 29 | PAVAN Marco | ITA | -1 LAP | |
| 27 | 28 | AGOSTINACCHIO Filippo SELLE ITALIA - GUERCIOTTI - ELITE | ITA | -2 LAP | |
| 28 | 22 | MASCIARELLI Lorenzo PAUWELS SAUZEN - BINGOAL | ITA | -2 LAP | |
| 29 | 24 | SAMPARISI Lorenzo KTM ALCHEMIST POWERED BY BRENTA BRAKES | ITA | -2 LAP | |
| 30 | 19 | TONEATTI Davide DP66 GIANT | ITA | -2 LAP | |
| 31 | 17 | BARD Nicolas | SUI | -2 LAP |
Featured photo courtesy of UCI.
