Danny Summerhill (Felt-Holowesko Partners-Garmin) rode inside the top ten early in the race in Kalmthout. © Bart Hazen
by Dan Seaton
Kalmthout, Belgium – Just as frigid Belgium was digging out from a paralyzing snowstorm earlier in the week, Kalmthout, the site of today’s World Cup race, picked up several more inches of snow overnight. So an already challenging course was made even more difficult by some of the snowiest conditions Belgium has seen in several years. And it was snow that played the decisive role in today’s non-World Cup Under-23 race, where Belgian Tom Meeusen recovered from a fall on a snow-slick turn to steal another win in international competition. Meeusen, who has been on a tear the past few months, dominating the Under-23 racing scene and taking second place in Friday’s Scheldecross over an elite field, shot quickly to the front of the race. And it looked like Meeusen would ride to another easy victory before he fell in the slick conditions and lost some twenty seconds midway through the 45-minute race.
Meeusens gets ready to step through. Kalmthout 2009 Cyclocross World Cup. © Bart Hazen
From there, what had been the chase group, featuring Belgian Champion Vincent Baestaens and Jim Aernouts among others, took over the lead. But Aernouts attacked, opening a gap that looked insurmountable, before Meeusen stormed back to the front of the race. Meeusen and Aernouts rode together for most of the final lap before Aernouts bobbled himself, allowing Meeusen to pull away for a solo finish.
US National Champion Danny Summerhill, fresh off a U23 victory in Lichtervelde, Belgium, started strong, riding inside the top ten early in the race before falling back after a trip to the pits with several laps to go.
Stay tuned to cxmagazine.com for more, including complete results and photos.
Brief Results
1. Tom Meeusen (Bel)
2. Vincent Baestaens (Bel)
3. Jim Aernouts (Bel)
4. Robert Gavenda (Svk)
5. Arnoud Jouffroy (Fra)
6. Michi Van Empel (Ned)
7. Mitchell Huenders (Ned)
8. Kacper Szczepaniak (Pol)
9. Kevin Cant (Bel)
10. Wietse Bosmans (Bel)
15. Daniel Summerhill (USA)
31. Joshua Berry (USA)
34. Steve Fisher (USA)
39. Travis Livermon (USA)
40. Joseph Schmalz (USA)
41. Joseph Drombroski (USA)
Photo Gallery:
