After a brief hiatus from the top step of top-level cyclocross, 2016 World Champion Thalita de Jong (Rabo Liv) is back on top after a powerful ascent up the steep run-ups and long paved climb of the 2016 Hansgrohe Superprestige Spa Francorchamps cyclocross race today.
Christine Majerus (Boels Dolman) shot off the start line, drawing out typical fast starter Ellen Van Loy (Telenet Fidea Lions), with De Jong and Sanne Cant (Enertherm-Beobank) giving chase.
The run-ups required more than just legs to make it up. 2016 Hansgrohe Superprestige Spa-Francorchamps Women. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
The lead four regrouped, and De Jong eventually hit the front with a strong surge. The World Champion looked to be on her way to a dominant win, but Majerus and Cant reconnected, making for a tactical battle as each rider looked to take advantage of her strengths out on the course. De Jong was not to be denied, however, and using the paved climb and soggy grass flats to her advantage, put in another attack that would stick.
Thalita de Jongs spritns up the paved finishing stretch, using her road racing power to her advantage. 2016 Hansgrohe Superprestige Spa-Francorchamps Women. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
Cant passed Majerus for second, while Van Loy finished in fourth and American Elle Anderson (Elle Anderson Racing) had a strong, steady ride to finish in fifth.
The World Champ De Jong back on top - 2016 Hansgrohe Superprestige Spa-Francorchamps Women. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
Podium: Thalita de Jong: Sanne Cant: Christine Majerus © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
Video highlights, full results and photo gallery below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx_uUKQie2o&feature=youtu.be&t=5s
2016 Spa-Francorchamps Superprestige Results - Elite Women
| Rank | Name | Nat. | Age* | Result | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thalita DE JONG | NED | 24 | 45:42:00 | 80 |
| 2 | Sanne CANT | BEL | 27 | 45:55:00 | 60 |
| 3 | Christine MAJERUS | LUX | 30 | 46:07:00 | 40 |
| 4 | Ellen VAN LOY | BEL | 37 | 46:38:00 | 30 |
| 5 | Elle ANDERSON | USA | 29 | 47:16:00 | 25 |
| 6 | Geerte HOEKE | NED | 27 | 48:18:00 | 20 |
| 7 | Karen VERHESTRAETEN | BEL | 26 | 48:29:00 | 17 |
| 8 | Alice Maria ARZUFFI | ITA | 23 | 48:30:00 | 15 |
| 9 | Githa MICHIELS | BEL | 34 | 48:58:00 | 12 |
| 10 | Loes SELS | BEL | 32 | 49:09:00 | 10 |
| 11 | Bianca HOEK | NED | 41 | 49:23:00 | 8 |
| 12 | Åsa-Maria ERLANDSSON | SWE | 43 | 49:26:00 | 6 |
| 13 | Eva Maria PALM | BEL | 20 | 49:29:00 | 4 |
| 14 | Julia BOSCHKER | NED | 18 | 49:57:00 | 2 |
| 15 | Pauline DELHAYE | FRA | 28 | 50:17:00 | 1 |
| 16 | Jolien VERSCHUEREN | BEL | 27 | 50:17:00 | |
| 17 | Irene GERRITSEN | NED | 21 | 51:38:00 | |
| 18 | Julie VAN DE VELDE | BEL | 24 | 52:45:00 | |
| 19 | Axelle BELLAERT | BEL | 20 | 54:16:00 | |
| 20 | Madeleine GAMMONS | GBR | 18 | ||
| 21 | Marlies BECKERS | BEL | 25 |
2016 Spa-Francorchamps Superprestige Photo Gallery:
Christine Majerus leads De Jong up the run-up early on in the race. 2016 Hansgrohe Superprestige Spa-Francorchamps Women. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
