Im Sandpit von Koksijde, both the men's and women's cyclocross world cups were clear affairs for the winners. But while the women's World Cup leader, Katie Compton (Trek), was clearly the strongest, Lars van der Haar (Rabobank) got stuck in the men's race and almost lost his overall lead - to the chagrin of Philipp Walsleben (BKCP -Power plus).
The big winner in the men's race was Walsleben's teammate Niels Albert (KBCP-Powerplus). Similar to his World Championship title success in 2012, this time he also drove solo in front of his competitors. In the meantime, the Belgian had a lead of more than a minute. The fact that this melted in the end was partly due to Albert's jubilant gesture, but also to the pace work of French champion Francis Mourey (FDJ.fr). He finally prevailed against Walsleben in the sprint and was able to celebrate second place.
However, the man from Kleinmachnow also experienced a strong race and was able to gain valuable points in the overall World Cup over Van der Haar, who finished tenth at the end. “Things didn't go so well for me today. I'm surprised I'm still leading the World Cup”, said the Dutchman after the race.
The preliminary decision of the race was made in the fourth of nine laps. Shortly after the previously strong Belgian champion Klaas Vantornout (Sunweb-Napoleon Games) fell, Albert took the lead in the group of favourites. Walsleben drove behind him, allowing the Belgian to continuously extend his lead. "Before the race I was a bit nervous about my form but once I ripped the gap I knew I was going to win", said Albert after the race. He also benefited from the German champions, who cleverly controlled the competition for Mourey and world champion Nys, who ended up fourth.
In the women's race, the big favorite Compton broke away from her competitors shortly after the start. In the absence of reigning world champion Marianne Vos (Rabobank Liv/Giant), she increased her lead from the start. Behind the American, the British champion Nikki Harris (Young Telenet-Fidea) and the European champion Helen Wyman (Kona) delivered an exciting race. But while the latter eventually fell behind, Belgium's Sanne Cant (BKCP-Enertherm) secured a well-deserved second place with a strong second half of the race, just over a minute behind Compton, who manifested her World Cup Total Score lead.
//Result men
1. Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus) 1:04:49
2. Francis Mourey (FDJ.fr) 0:00:32
3. Philipp Walsleben (BKCP-Powerplus) 0:00:32
4. Sven Nys (Crelan KDL) 0:00:34
5. Kevin Pauwels (Sunweb Napoleon Games) 0:00:37
//World Cup ranking men
1. Lars van der Haar (Rabobank) 202 points
2. Philipp Walsleben (BKCP-Powerplus) 200 points
3. Kevin Pauwels (Sunweb-Napoleon Games) 190 points
4. Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus) 170 points
5. Klaas Vantornout (Sunweb-Napoleon Games) 161 points
//Result women
1. Katie Compton (Trek) 0:43:32
2. Sanne Cant (Enertherm-BKCP) 0:01:08
3. Nikki Harris (Young Telenet-Fidea) 0:01:22
4. Sabrina Stultiens (Rabobank Liv/Giant) 0:01:55
5. Sophie de Boer (Young Telenet-Fidea) 0:01:56
//Women's World Cup ranking
1. Katherine Compton (Trek) 170 points
2. Nikki Harris (Young Telenet-Fidea) 140 points
3. Sanne Cant (Enertherm-BKCP) 111 points
4. Pavla Havlikova (Young Telenet-Fidea) 103 points
5. Helen Wyman (Kona) 90 points