Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus) also won the Superprestige Gieten after his World Cup victory on Saturday. Albert had an unfortunate start. Stuck by another rider who was having trouble with his pedals, the Belgian was last into the first technical passage but steadily worked his way up from there. On the last lap, he benefited from a pedal problem suffered by his companion Lars van der Haar (Rabobank), who ultimately had to settle for second place. Tom Meeusen (Telenet-Fidea) secured the sprint for third place ahead of Philipp Walsleben (BKCP-Powerplus). Marcel Meisen (Kwadro-Stannah) finished fifth, with some distance.
The first two rounds were dominated by Swiss champion Julien Taramarcaz (BMC). He led a breakaway of almost 15 riders that represented the who's who of cyclocross. Then Sven Nys (Crelan-KDL) took over the command. He broke away from the group in the sand and initially only the Swiss, Van der Haar and Walsleben were able to follow him. However, Ny's advance did not last long. A fall heralded the end of his race.
At the top, Albert and Van der Haar emerged as the strongest of the day. At first the Belgian champion Klaas Vantornout (Sunweb-Napoleon Games) was able to follow them. However, when this fell behind, Walsleben's hour struck. Together with Meeusen he went in pursuit of the leading duo. Both managed to reduce the gap to seven seconds. Half a lap before the end it even looked like a possible merger with the top duo. However, Albert threw a spanner in the works for both of them. In the sand he showed all his experience and strength. He went first
for the last hundred meters. However, it took Van der Haar a moment before he could continue. The race was thus decided.
//Result
1. Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus)
2. Lars van der Haar (Rabobank)
3. Tom Meeusen (Telenet Fidea)
4. Philipp Walsleben (BKCP-Powerplus)
5. Marcel Meisen (Kwadro Stannah)