C2 Saturday: Van der Haar Takes First Win in National Jersey at Rucphen; Meeusen Sprints Into Win at Zonnebeke

Tom Meeusen took the win at Zonnebeke © Bart Hazen

While most spectators are waiting in anticipation of tomorrow’s final World Cup in Hoogerheide, racers today had a job to do at either the C2 Kasteelcross in Zonnebeke, Belgiam or the C2 Internationale Cyclo-Cross in Rucphen, Netherlands.

With a nasty cold snap moving over northern Europe, racers had frozen courses – and frozen ground – to contend with, and newly crowned Belgian national champion Klaas Vantornout found himself on the wrong side of luck as he crashed hard while pursuing Tom Meeusen after a slow start to his race. The lanky rider landed on frozen ruts, injuring his left leg. “The pain is enormous,” he said, via Sporza. “As I feel now, I cannot start Sunday in Hoogerheide.”

Luckier in the race, though not in the season, was Tom Meeusen (Telenet-Fidea), who must have channeled some of his anger at not making the Belgian national team after his doctor came under suspicion for doping riders. Coming to the finish line, Swiss champion Julien Taramarcaz thought he had the race sealed up, and was gliding to the line with raised hands when Meeusen surged around him and stole the victory.

“Initially I was not motivated to ride,” said Meeusen. “So I wallowed in the back of the leading group. In the final round I scraped together all my motivation to participate in the sprint, but I’m not really happy with this win.” Meeusen’s win only underscored the rider’s belief that he should have been chosen for the Worlds squad. “It gives more pain than pleasure. I am still down after all that this hoopla has robbed me of. I still have not heard anything from the investigation. No explanation, no nothing.”

In the Netherlands, Lars van der Haar toed the line in his newly-won Dutch National Champion jersey, and an hour later brought the jersey across the line in first. The win is certainly a nice confidence boost heading into tomorrow’s World Cup in Hoogerheide, where van der Haar will be competing for home crowds.

2013 Zonnebeke Elite Men Results

2013 Rucphen Elite Men Results