Cyclocross world champion Sven Nys (Crelan-KDL) proved once again at the Azencross Loenhout that he is one of the strongest riders on muddy ground. In extremely adverse conditions, he confidently won the fifth round of the Bpost Bank Trophy ahead of Rob Peeters (Telenet-Fidea) and Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus).
The best start was made by Thijs van Amerongen (AA Drink), who on his back wheel helped Albert and Nys gain a small lead over the competition. As the race progressed, however, Van Amerongen had to give up, while Klaas Vantornout (Sunweb-Napoleon Games), Peeters (Telenet-Fidea) and Zdenek Stybar (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) joined the two strong Belgians.
With three laps to go, Nys then increased the pace. None of the other competitors were able to repel the world champion's attack. He was able to continuously expand his lead, especially on the extremely soft passages. At the finish he was more than twenty seconds ahead of his two closest pursuers.
After his strong fourth place at the World Cup in Heusden-Zolder, German champion Philipp Walsleben (BKCP-Powerplus) in sixth place had nothing to do with the outcome of the race.
//Result
1. Sven Nys (Crelan-KDL)
2. Rob Peeters (Telenet Fidea)
3. Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus)
4. Klaas Vantornout (Sunweb-Napoleon Games)
5. Zdenek Stybar (Omega Pharma-QuickStep)
2.
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