![The start of the battle of the sexes between the elite women and men. Men started 40 seconds later and had to chase the women The start of the battle of the sexes between the elite women and men. Men started 40 seconds later and had to chase the women](https://www.cxmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_4834-590x393.jpg)
The start of the battle of the sexes between the elite women and men. Men started 40 seconds later and had to chase the women. © Bart Hazen
Words and photos by Bart Hazen
In the last race of the season, no one was surprised when Marianne Vos won the elite women. She was followed by Daphny van den Brand and Sanne Cant. World Champion Niels Albert won the elite men. He was followed by Zdenek Stybar second and Sven Nys. Kevin Pauwels was crowned by journalists and fans as “king winter,” the best cyclocross rider of the season.