Cycling: Lars van der Haar is the new European champion in cyclocross. The Dutchman left six Belgians behind in Wijster. He is crowned European champion for the second time since 2015. World champion Lucinda Brand managed to win the European title in the women's category.
Van der Haar takes advantage of the top stars' absence
What's the point of a European Cyclocross Championship title if the best riders aren't there? Some fans and journalists might be asking themselves this question right now, but in a few years – as they say – nobody will care. Lars van der Haar is probably thinking the same thing. The Dutchman triumphed in his hometown of Wijster for the second time since 2015 at the European Cyclocross Championships. And he did so with remarkable composure. He finished 25 and 54 seconds ahead of Quinten Hermans and Michael Vanthourenhout , respectively. In total, he beat six Belgians in one fell swoop. Wout van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel, and Tom Pidcock did not start.
Brand flexes her muscles
World champion Lucinda Brand has now secured the European Championship title after her World Championship crown. The Dutchwoman, who had recently been outpaced, was back to her old form this time. Kata Blanka Vas from Hungary and Yara Kastelijn from the Netherlands, finishing 56 and 62 seconds behind respectively, didn't stand a chance. The only German competitor was Elisabeth Brandau, who finished in 18th place.
#EuroCross21 Men Elite
1 Lars van der Haar (Ned)
2 Quentin Hermans (Bel)
3 Michael Vanthourenhout (Bel)Full results > https://t.co/dJWJALGXl1 pic.twitter.com/EnTr1oIii3
— UEC_cycling (@UEC_cycling) November 7, 2021
#EuroCross21 -Women's Elite
1 fire (Ned)
2 Vas (Hun)
3 Castelijn (Ned)Full results > https://t.co/dJWJALGXl1 pic.twitter.com/56Ws8NB3b2
— UEC_cycling (@UEC_cycling) November 6, 2021