Here, Marianne Vos takes the win at Namur World Cup 2011. © Bart Hazen
by Evan Schmitt
The World Cup is back in Belgium again this weekend, landing the historic battlegrounds in Zolder on Monday, December 26. The race will come after a few days of rest from the Superprestige race in Diegem on the 23rd. Last year, Katie Compton and Lars Boom (both Rabobank) won their respective races in the snow.
Sven Nys takes a muddy win at Namur World Cup 2011. © Bart Hazen
Current World Cup Leader Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet) will be coming into Zolder hot as he won big at the World Cup in Namur last weekend. He will face a challenge from the Belgian National Champ Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus), who is back from injury and placed second on both days last weekend. Bart Wellens (Telenet-Fidea) seems to be coming on form for the Christmas Super Week with his win in Essen last Saturday. The Americans will field a team that includes Tim Johnson (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com), Jonathan Page (Planet Bike), Zach McDonald (Rapha-Focus), Troy Wells, Mitchell Hoke, Ryan Knapp and Jeremy Durrin. Craig Richey will be flying the Canadian flag in Zolder.
For the ladies, World Champ Marianne Vos (Nederland-Bloeit) won the Superprestige in Essen and the World Cup in Namur last weekend and will be the woman to beat. World Cup Leader Daphny van den Brand and Sophie De Boer will be looking to challenge Vos for the win. The American squad will include Amy Dombroski (Crankbrothers), Kaitlin Antonneau (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com), Mo Bruno Roy (Bob’s Red Mill-Seven Cycles) and Christine Vardaros (Baboco) and the Canadian team will be represented by Sarah Stewart.
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