Saturday 26 November 2011
UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup - Round 3, Koksijde, Belgium
A nine rider contingent of British competitors enjoyed a mixed day at the third round of the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup at the famous Koksijde, Belgium course, which will host the World Championships in January 2011.
In the Elite Men’s race Ian Field continued to show that he’s close to the top twenty riders in the world with a strong ride into 22nd place, four and half minutes down on the winner, ‘Cross legend Sven Nys.
Of the four British Under-23 men, Steve James will have come away most satisfied with his day’s work. Consistently the best Brit in this age category in the National Trophy Series this season, he underlined this status by being alone in avoiding being lapped. He finished in 47th place, some six minutes down.
However, it was in the Elite Women’s race that British riders really made their mark: Helen Wyman and Nikki Harris continued their season-long battle to be the best Brit abroad, with Wyman just taking this instalment, finishing sixth, one place and 13 seconds ahead of her rival. For Harris it was a personal best ride in the World Cup and drew from her this reaction later on Twitter "7th place in koksijde!! My best ever world cup result !! :-) happy! Bring on the worlds in january there!"
And, backing up these excellent rides was a breakthrough performance by Gabriella Day, who rode into a strong tenth position.
After the race Gabriella Day was understandably elated, Tweeting “Great race for me today 10th in the koksijde sand dunes!!! Oh yeh...so happy. #cyclocrossworldcup Thanks for everyone's support.” And then detailing her deserved post-race blow-out: “Me & @Craig_Richey treated ourselves to amazing pizza...so yummy & just what I needed!”
Junior rider Hannah Payton made her debut at this level and will have learnt a lot on the challenging course against such high class opposition.
With the National Championships now just six weeks away, the women’s race is shaping up to be one of the best in years, with at least two riders now looking able to give Helen Wyman a run for her money. And with Annie Last also rumoured to be riding, we may just be treated to the best women’s championship to date.
Results
Elite Men
1 Sven Nys (Bel) Landbouwkrediet 1:03:18
2 Kevin Pauwels (Bel) Sunweb - Revor 0:00:01
3 Bart Aernouts (Bel) Rabobank - Giant Off-Road Team 0:00:06
4 Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Quickstep Cycling Team 0:00:45
5 Tom Meeusen (Bel) Telenet - Fidea 0:00:51
other
22 Ian Field (GBr) Hargroves Cycles 0:04:39
World Cup Standings after three rounds
1 Kevin Pauwels (Bel) Sunweb - Revor 220 pts
2 Sven Nys (Bel) Landbouwkrediet 215
3 Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Quickstep Cycling Team 195
other
25 Ian Field (GBr) Hargroves Cycles 69
Elite Women
1 Daphny Van Den Brand (Ned) AA Drink - Leontien.Nl Cycling Team 0:43:13
2 Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit 0:00:13
3 Katherine Compton (USA) Rabobank - Giant Off-Road Team 0:00:31
4 Sanne Van Paassen (Ned) Brainwash Wielerploeg 0:01:07
5 Sanne Cant (Bel) Boxx Veldritacademie 0:01:34
6 Helen Wyman (GBr) Kona Factory Racing 0:01:44
7 Nikki Harris (GBr) Telenet - Fidea 0:01:57
other
10 Gabriella Day (GBr) 0:02:48
-2laps Hannah Payton (GBr)
World Cup standings after three rounds
1 Daphny Van Den Brand (Ned) AA Drink - Leontien.Nl Cycling Team 150 pts
2 Sanne Van Paassen (Ned) Brainwash Wielerploeg 135
3 Katherine Compton (USA) Rabobank - Giant Off-Road Team 105
other
6 Helen Wyman (GBr) Kona Factory Racing 91
11 Nikki Harris (GBr) Telenet - Fidea 62
16 Gabriella Day (GBr) 50
Under-23 Men
1 Gert-Jan Bosman (Ned) Netherlands 0:52:41
2 Stan Godrie (Ned) Netherlands 0:00:05
3 Micki Van Empel (Ned) Netherlands 0:00:07
4 Lars Van Der Haar (Ned) Netherlands 0:00:11
5 Mike Teunissen (Ned) Netherlands
other
47 Steven James (GBr) Great Britain 0:06:00
56 Jack Clarkson (GBr) Great Britain - 1 lap
60 Luke Gray (GBr) Great Britain - 2 laps
64 Andrew Hargroves (GBr) Great Britain - 3 laps
World Cup standings
1 Lars Van Der Haar (Ned) Netherlands 100 pts
2 Gert-Jan Bosman (Ned) Netherlands 84
3 Mike Teunissen (Ned) Netherlands 80
Junior Men
1 Mathieu VAN DER POEL NED 37:47:00
2 Daan SOETE BEL 37:49:00
3 Wout VAN AERT BEL 37:49:00
4 Silvio HERKLOTZ GER 38:46:00
5 Yorben VAN TICHELT BEL 38:51:00
28 Hugo ROBINSON GBR 42:02:00
39 Joseph MOSES GBR 42:58:00
42 Alex WELBURN GBR 43:27:00
44 Joe KIRKHAM GBR 43:34:00
48 Adam MARTIN GBR 44:03:00
