Cycling: There are currently only two winners at the World Cup in Namur. Mathieu van der Poel wins in the men's category, Lucinda Brand in the women's category. It was that time again today.
Van der Poel defeats Van Aert in Namur
For the third time in a row and for the fifth time in six years, Mathieu van der Poel wins the World Cup race in Namur. In a gripping, thrilling, thrilling cyclocross event, the Dutch world champion narrowly prevailed over his longtime adversary, Wout van Aert. The Belgian finished just three seconds behind him. Also only eleven seconds behind was Tom Pidcock, who was able to keep up with the two top stars for a long time and only had to give up in the last meters.
Daily rating in Namur:
1. Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin – Fenix) +1:03:59
2. Wout Van Aert (Jumbo – Visma) +0:03
3. Thomas Pidcock (Trinity) +0:11
4. Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) +1:07
5. Quinten Hermans (Tormans) +2:09
Overall ranking after 2 of 5 World Cups:
1. Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) 62 points
2. Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) 55
3. Toon Aerts (Telenet – Baloise) 41
4. Lars van der Haar (Telenet - Baloise) 41
5. Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin – Fenix) 40
What a thriller! @mathieuvdpoel wins for the 5️⃣th time in Namur! @WoutvanAert is second, @tompid completes the podium. #CXWorldCup pic.twitter.com/3HSaUEvjLN
— UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup (@UCIcyclocrossWC) December 20, 2020
Lucinda Brand still unbeatable
There is still one dominant player in women's cyclocross: Lucinda Brand! The Dutchwoman not only won for the third time in a row in Namur, but also the second of two World Cup races. She is also celebrating her eighth win of the season. Today she left the renewed surprise Clara Honsinger behind by 28 seconds. For the first time this year, the American made sure that the podium at an important race didn't just shine in orange at the end of the day. Third was Denise Betsema ahead of Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, who is second in the overall World Cup, 28 points behind Lucinda Brand.
Daily rating in Namur:
1. Lucinda Brand (Telenet-Baloise) 52:47
2. Clara Honsinger (Tibco) +0:28
3. Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) +0:38
4. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Alpecin – Fenix) +1:21
5. Kata Blanka Vas (Doltcini – van Eyck) +1:38
Overall ranking after 2 of 5 World Cups:
1. Lucinda Brand (Telenet – Baloise) 80 points
2. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Alpecin – Fenix) 52
3. Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen - Bingoal) 50
4. Kata Blanka Vas (Doltcini) 43
5. Anna Kay (Starcasino) +36
🏆 That's 3 in a row in Namur for @lucinda_brand. Honsinger finishes 🥈, @Deniesoverseas earns 🥉. #CXWorldCup pic.twitter.com/byfVkvASoD
— UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup (@UCIcyclocrossWC) December 20, 2020