Cycling: The new cycling year started absolutely perfectly for the world champions at the New Year's Cross in Baal. Mathieu van der Poel and Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado can celebrate their first victories in 2021.
Van der Poel before Van Aert
The Grand Prix Sven Nys also goes to Mathieu van der Poel in 2021. The Dutch World Champion left the competition behind at the New Year's Cross in Baal, although he said he didn't have the best legs today. Wout van Aert was 8 seconds behind in second place, Tom Picock was third, 32 seconds behind.
Mathieu van der Poel
"I didn't have the best legs today."
Daily result of the GP Sven Nys
1. Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin – Fenix) 1:00:18
2. Wout Van Aert (Jumbo – Visma) +0:08
3. Tom Pidcock (Trinity) + 0:32
4. Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) + 0:41
5. Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) +0:46
Overall ranking of the X2O Badkamers Trofee
1. Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) 5:00:22
2. Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) +3:27
3. Toon Aerts (Baloise – Trek Lions) +3:33
4. Lars van der Haar (Baloise – Trek Lions) +3:50
5. Quinten Hermans (Tormans Cycling Team) +6:04
Van der Poel says Van Aert af en wint in Baal pic.twitter.com/nCcnxnzCMO
— Sporza 🚴🔥 (@sporza_koers) January 1, 2021
Alvarado fights back against Brand
Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado has turned the tables. The Dutch world champion won the Grand Prix Sven Nys just ahead of Lucinda Brand. The dominator of the past few weeks was defeated by today's winner, as she didn't risk a sprint, but instead sought an early decision in the final lap. Denise Betsema completes the podium, 19 seconds back in third.
Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado:
"It was a really tough fight and I'm very happy to have won."
Result of the day GP Sven Nys
1 Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado (Alpecin – Fenix) 39:52
2. Lucinda Brand (Baloise – Trek Lions) +0:04
3. Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) + 0:19
4. Fem van Empel (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) + 1.04
5. Sanne Cant (IKO – Crelan) +1:04
Overall ranking in the Soudal Ladies Trophy
1. Lucinda Brand (Baloise - Trek Lions) 3:38:21
2. Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) + 0:58
3. Yara Kastelijn (Credishop – Fristads) +4:49
4. Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado (Alpecin – Fenix) +5:09
5. Annemarie Worst (777) + 7:13
Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado wins sprint in de #GPSvenNys in Baal. 2 @lucinda_brand 3 @Deniesoverseas. #likelrenne #veldrijden #cyclocross @X2O Trofee #X2OBadkamers Trofee @PS_BG_CT @Telenet_Baloise @AlpecinFenix @sporza_koers @NOSwiellaufen @Eurosport @UCI_CX @NOSsport pic.twitter.com/6sKedLrSPf
— Rob Oerlemans (@rjmoerlemans) January 1, 2021