Cyclocross De Ster Sint-Niklaas - NE

Belgium, January 2, 2002

Results

12 for Nijs

By Marc Van Landeghem

A total of 3,500 spectators turned out in Sint-Niklaas to see the first major cyclo-cross race held there in 10 years. Once again they were treated to an exhibition of power riding by Sven Nijs (Rabobank), who held off Ben Berden (Vlaanderen-T Interim) and Arne Daelmans (Vlaanderen-T Interim) to win by 50 seconds. It was his second victory in two days, and his 12th of the season.

Nijs rode in the company of Ben Berden from the first lap, and the pair were never headed. Behind them were two other couples: Sven Vanthourenhout and Arne Daelmans, followed by Peter Van Santvliet and Tim Pauwels. Behind them followed a very strong Richard Groenendaal, who had completely missed the start.

Bart Wellens was even further back, and never came into contact with the front riders. "Since I've been sick, it hasn't gone well," he said afterwards. "I hope that it will quickly get better, because next week is the national championship."

In front, Nijs and Berden gained the company of Daelmans, who retained his spot there until the end, with Groenendaal moving up to fourth. But out of the three leaders, Nijs was certainly the best. With three laps to go, he left his companions for good. Berden held on for second, with Daelmans taking third in front of an unlucky Groenendaal, who fell on the last lap and did not finish.

"That's how it goes, when you're in the winning mood," said a relaxed Nijs afterwards. "Then everything goes your way. A winner has a better mental condition in a hard race than a loser. I once won 21 races in a season, but this year I don't think I'll do that."

Results

Elite Men

1 Sven Nijs (Bel) Rabobank                   58.04
2 Ben Berden (Bel) Vlaanderen-T Interim       0.50
3 Arne Daelmans (Bel) Vlaanderen - T Interim  1.10
4 Peter Van Santvliet (Bel) Spaar Select      1.52
5 Bjorn Rondelez (Bel) WG Beveren 2000        3.25
6 Sven Vanthourenhout (Bel) Domo-Farm Frit    3.36
7 Maxime Lefebvre (Fra) CV Liévin             3.59
8 Marek Cichosz (Pol)                         5.02
9 Tim Pauwels (Bel)
10 Robert Glajza (Svk)
11 David Willemsens (Bel)
12 Pedro Baelen (Bel)                         5.30
13 Vaclav Metlicka (Svk)                      5.50
14 Eddy Van Bouwel (Bel)                      5.56
15 Ronny Poelvoorde (Bel)                     6.19
16 Tom Pynaert (Bel)                          6.57
17 Stijn Penne (Bel)                          7.06
18 Geert Vandaele (Bel) KWC Geluwe            8.15
19 Jaak Eeckhout (Bel)                        9.12
20 Bert De Wispelaere (Bel)                  1 lap
21 Wim Jacobs (Bel)
22 Mike Thielemans (Bel)
23 Patrick Schurmans (Bel)
24 Mariusz Gil (Pol)
25 Marian Hecl (Svk)
26 Jef De Boeck (Bel)
27 Jan Van Donink (Bel)
28 Robby De Baene (Bel)
29 Jo Maes (Bel)
30 Pavel Medved (Svk)
31 Peter Van Bockhoven (Bel)
32 Kristof Boelens (Bel)
33 Steven Boelens (Bel)
34 Thijs Van Den Bossche (Bel)
 
41 starters
 
Cyclosportifs
 
1 Pascal Van Riet (Bel)                      43.08
2 Dirk Mertens (Bel)                          1.55
3 Hans Wuyts (Bel)                            3.05
4 Benny Van Staeyen (Bel)                     3.08
5 Dirk Pauwels (Bel)
6 Sven Raeymakers (Bel)
7 Ronny Coulier (Bel)
8 Nico Schroyen (Bel)
9 Jef Verbraeken  (Bel)
10 Christiaan Wuyts  (Bel)
11 Frederich Sels (Bel)
12 Serge Van Assche (Bel)
13 Benny De Busser (Bel)
14 Patrick Neufcourt (Bel)
15 Bern Van Gampelaere (Bel)
 
35 starters

Past winners

2002 Mario De Clercq (Bel) Domo-Farm Frites 
2001 Sven Nijs (Bel)
2000 Sven Nijs (Bel)