Cant Takes Win, USA’s Anderson Scores First Euro Podium in Third at Diegem Superprestige

Anderson with game face on on the last day of Jingle Cross Rock 2013. © Mike McColgan

It was a great day for American women in Europe today at the Superprestige race in Diegem. Breakout racer of the season Elle Anderson (California Giant-Specialized), who beat Katie Compton on Day 1 of Providence and won both days of Gloucester, stormed to a podium finish behind Sanne Cant (Enertherm-BKCP) and Eva Lechner (Colnago Suditrol).

Balint Hamvas’ photo of Cant at the start:

@Sannecant concentrates at the start #diegem #cx #superprestige pic.twitter.com/pxClB7t65n

— cyclephotos (@cyclephotos) December 29, 2013

“Diegem was definitely a highlight of EuroCrossCamp for me,” Anderson told us. “The course had a great mix of all different elements so there was a bit of everything : sand, deep mud, running, pavement, climbing and technical sections. Basically that meant it was a blast to race on. I was lucky to have a strong start and it was an honor to ride with Sanne Cant and Eva Lechner for most of the race. Being on a European podium for the first time was such an exciting experience and definitely makes me fired up for more European ’cross racing in the future.”

Women’s start at Diegem Superprestige. © Dennis Crane

Ellen Van Loy (DNCS-Pro 2012) led the race early with Lechner, Cant and Anderson close behind. The continued high pace proved too much for Van Loy, however, who dropped back later in the race.

With three lead riders remaining in the final lap, despite reportedly suffering from a sore throat and with plans not to push too hard, Cant attacked. The move opened a small gap which she held through the finish. Lechner finished second, eight seconds down, with Anderson crossing the line 10 seconds off the leader.

Lechner tackling this muddy hairpin (Balint Hamvas):

@bikereva corners in lap #1 #diegem #cx #superprestige pic.twitter.com/Sphw89W9Jw

— cyclephotos (@cyclephotos) December 29, 2013

In total the American women had four riders in the top 10 including Crystal Anthony (Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies) finishing fifth, 1:41 down; Courtney McFadden (Bicycle Blue Book-Rock Lobster) in eighth, 1:55 down; and Maureen Bruno Roy (Bob’s Red Mill-Seven cycles) finishing 10th, 2:17 off the leader. Nicole Duke (Marin-Spy) just missed the top 10 finishing in 11th. Anderson and Duke were captured by Balint Hamvas after the race in the Tweeted photo below:

@NicoleDukeNow tries to cheer up @ellebellerina after her unfortunate flat in the last lap #cx #worldcup #Zolder pic.twitter.com/3qUyvxy8hu

— cyclephotos (@cyclephotos) December 26, 2013

Today, Anderson and the rest of the American women certainly proved that they have a place in the EuroCrossCamp contingent.

2013 Superprestige Diegem Elite Women's Results