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Perfect five for Nys

Now there's a familiar sight!
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini

Sven Nys (Rabobank) is well on the way to becoming the best cyclo-crosser for 2005-2006, with his fifth victory in five races in the UCI World Cup series and his 15th win of the season. Today in Milan, Italy, Nys beat home Erwin Vervecken (Fidea) and Italian favourite Enrico Franzoi (Lampre) by 12 and 14 seconds respectively.

"I always had the feeling that I could ride away," said Nys to Sporza Radio after the race. "I waited until everyone was in the box, and then it was get to the front and go hard. Still. it was a different race than last year. It wasn't as fast, it was harder."

Vervecken commented, "I have trained very hard in the last weeks and that now shows. I'm happy to stand on the podium again. I hope that I can manage a few nice results in the following weeks. I certainly want to stay at this level for another two years."

How it unfolded

Enrico Franzoi leads the bunch
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini

The weekday round of the World Cup in Milan falls in the middle of an intense period of 'cross racing, with three World Cups in the space of eight days. Nys started as the outright favourite, as he has gradually improved as the 'cross season has worn on, while chief rival Bart Wellens (Fidea) losing some of his early shine. From the outset, it was the Rabobank team with the numbers up front, with Nys joined by Richard Groenendaal, Bart Aernouts, Sven Vanthourenhout, and their future teammate Gerben de Knegt (AA drink-Bejan). With them were Wellens, Franzoi and Van Gils (ZZPR.nl), while Vervecken was chasing the leaders.

Franzoi was the first to place a serious attack on lap 3, and created a small gap to the lead group. But Nys and Wellens closed it down, allowing Erwin Vervecken to attack just before the halfway point. Nys again bridged the gap and then put in what was the winning move. It was a powerful attack that netted him seven seconds in just one lap, with Wellens and Vervecken killing themselves in the chase. They were eventually caught by a group containing Franzoi, Van Gils, Vanthourenhout and Groenendaal.

Nys increased his advantage over the final laps, and could afford to relax a little on the bell lap to savour the victory. It was his 25th career World Cup win. Vervecken was too quick for Franzoi in the battle for the minor placings.

Women: Van den Brand again

Daphny Van Den Brand (ZZPR.nl)
Photo ©: Davide Tricarico

The Dutch women finished on top in the women's race in Milan, with Daphny Van Den Brand (ZZPR.nl ) beating compatriot Marianne Vos for the honours, and Germany's Hanka Kupfernagel (Vlaanderen-Capri Sonne-T Interim) taking third place.

The race was dominated by the French riders early on, with Nadia Triquet, Laurence Leboucher (Heijdens-Ten Tusscher) and Maryline Salvetat (Lapierre International) all riding strongly. However, Vos and Van den Brand closed it down and it was the latter who managed to make the winning move. Hanka Kupfernagel managed to come from behind to move into third place by the finish.

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Davide Tricarico/www.laborraccia.it

• Hanka Kupfernagel (Vlaanderen) looking ready to race
• Birgit Hollmann (Ger) getting ready to race
• Birgit Hollmann (Ger) makes sure she isn't going to get too cold
• Paola Bortolin (Ita) demonstrates her balance while putting warm clothing on
• The diminuitive Sara Massaglia (Ita) looks psyched up before the start
• Nadia Triquet (Fra) ponders before the women's race
• Canadian Champ Lyne Bessette (Can) ended the day in 11th
• Helen Wyman (GBr) is a little sensitive to the cold
• Daphny Van Den Brand (Van Bemmelen) leading the group on the first lap
• Birgit Hollmann (Ger) tries not to get too cold
• Daphny Van Den Brand (Van Bemmelen) on the line before the start
• Kick It!
• Aline Parsy (Fra) & Sara Massaglia (Ita) find the going a bit tough
• Marianne Vos (Dsb Bank) goes on the attack
• Daniela Bresciani (Ita) drives it hard up the hill
• Anne Nitzsche (Ger, left) seems to have lost her right leg
• Milena Cavani (Ita) gets back on with a graceful remount
• Aline Parsy (Fra) pushes her bike up the hill
• Belgian Champ Veerle Ingels (Bel) runs the steps
• Francesca Cucciniello (Ita) runs up the stairs
• Oooops...
• Monica Brunati (Ita) slides in the mud
• Veerle Ingels (Bel) on the descent
• Daphny Van Den Brand (Van Bemmelen) wins in a slightly strange position
• Kupfernagel (Ger) covers the women's winner Van Den Brande (Van Bemmelem) with her umbrella
• The elite women's podium (l-r): Marianne Vos (DSB Bank) Daphny Van Den Brand (Van Bemmelen) and Hanka Kupfernagel (Vlaanderen)
• Daphny Van Den Brand (ZZPR.nl) prepares to pop the champers
• C'mon, pop the cork! Van Den Brand finds that it's very hard to open those wretched champagne bottles
• Francesca Cucciniello (Ita) plants a kiss and wishes good luck to our photographer for the fight against his cancer problems (six days ago I did the chemiotherapy, all started in '02)
• Could you pleeeease attach my race number to my helmet?
• Richard Groenendaal (Rabobank) doesn't look like he's enjoying the cold too much
• Bart Wellens (Fidea) ready for action
• Massimo Folcarelli (Ita) stretches before the start
• Bart Wellens (Fidea) leads the group early in the race
• Enrico Franzoi (Lampre Caffita) thinks about enjoying a good race
• Sven Nijs (Rabobank) focuses on yet another victory
• Now we're off!
• Wilant Van Gils (Skil) ended the day in fifth
• A muddy Sven Nijs (Rabobank) after another victory
• Boxes line the technical area before the start
• Bath time... for a trusty steed
• The one and only Roberto Bettini... with a special hat on
• Marco Bianco (Guerciotti)
• Enrico Franzoi (Lampre Caffita) gives it his all
• A muddy Julien Belgy at the finish
• Swiss veteran Thomas Frischknecht (Suissepower) is probably glad that race is finished
• Bart Aernouts (Rabobank) is definitely glad it's finished
• Enrico Franzoi (Lampre Caffita) discusses his strong third place
• Enrico Franzoi (Lampre Caffita) receives his award from the daughter of Vito Di Tano
• The Lion of Flanders roars again
• Erwin Vervecken (Fidea) took a good second place
• Sven Nijs (Rabobank) lifts another trophy
• The elite men's podium (l-r): Erwin Vervecken (Fidea), Sven Nijs (Rabobank), Enrico Franzoi (Lampre Caffita)

Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

• Riders jostle for position near the start of the race
• And it's three abreast with Nys close behind
• Riders make their way through the early part of the race
• A couple of Stevens riders tangle early in the race
• Franzoi, Nys and Wellens make the early running
• The spaces strat to appear as the race settles down
• Mud, glorious mud! It's part of a 'crosser's skin beauty treatment...
• Enrico Franzoi (Lampre) looks strong on his way to third
• Italian champ Enrico Franzoi (Lampre) leads Sven Nys
• Franzoi took the fight to Nys, but ended up in third
• Enrico Franzoi (Lampre) rode smoothly in Milan
• Enrico Franzoi is definitely a name to watch for the future
• Franzoi looks focussed while riding on home turf
• Enrico Franzoi leads Groenendaal with the latter finishing the day in seventh
• Strength and balance for Enrico Franzoi
• Franzoi flashes by on his way to third place
• Enrico Franzoi leads the bunch ahead of Nys and Wellens
• Nys looks so comfortable as he saves some for a burst to victory
• Nys starts to turn the screws before he heads off to victory
• One foot down doesn't stop Nys from going fast
• Balance in motion as Sven in Nys speeds past
• Sven Nys descends with the pack behind him
• Nys makes it look easy as he powers up this crest
• Nys started to pull away just when he wanted to
• Nice cornering from the world champ
• On the rare occassion he has to dismount Nys is also strong on foot
• Riding in his own world
• Sven Nys is undoubtedly the man of the moment
• Don't blink or you'll miss it
• Sven Vanthourenhout (Rabobank) ended the day in sixth
• Erwin Vervecken (Fidea) on his way to second
• Erwin Vervecken (Fidea) corners beautifully
• Erwin Vervecken runs on his way to second place
• Bart Wellens (Fidea) made it to fourth by the finish
• Wellens is composed on the descents
• Now there's a familiar sight! Sven Nys (Rabobank) wins in Milan
• Nice work, Sven. Another day another victory for Sven Nys
• Nys retains the overall leader's jersey in the 'cross world cup series
• The elite men's podium (l-r): Erwin Vervecken (Fidea), Sven Nys (Rabobank) and Enrico Franzoi (Lampre - Caffita)
• All clean again... Sven Nys' bike is ready for another win

Results

Elite Men  

1 Sven Nys (Bel) Rabobank                     57.35
2 Erwin Vervecken (Bel) Fidea Cycling Team     0.12
3 Enrico Franzoi (Ita) Lampre - Caffita        0.14
4 Bart Wellens (Bel) Fidea Cycling Team        0.22
5 Wilant Van Gils (Ned) ZZPR.nl
6 Sven Vanthourenhout (Bel) Rabobank           0.31
7 Richard Groenendaal (Ned) Rabobank
8 Gerben De Knegt (Ned) AA drink-Bejan         0.43
9 John Gadret (Fra) Chocolade Jacques
10 Petr Dlask (Cze) Empella Czech Team
11 Thomas Frischknecht (Swi)
12 Christian Heule (Swi) Stevens Racing Team
13 Radomir Simunek (Cze)
14 Bart Aernouts (Bel) Rabobank
15 Martin Bina (Cze)
16 Simon Zahner (Swi)
17 Michael Baumgartner (Swi)
18 Wim Jacobs (Bel) Fidea Cycling Team
19 Camiel Van Den Bergh (Ned) Stevens Racing Team
20 Steve Chainel (Fra)
21 Tim Van Nuffel (Bel)
22 Davy Commeyne (Bel) Palmans-Sapim-Collstrop
23 Francis Mourey (Fra) Française Des Jeux
24 Martin Zlamalik (Cze)
25 Thijs Al (Ned) Giant-Racing-Team
26 Kamil Ausbuher (Cze) Cyklo Team Budvar Tábor
27 Eddy Van Yzendoorn (Ned)
28 Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Fidea Cycling Team
29 Klaas Vantornout (Bel) Morgan Blue
30 Marco Bianco (Ita)
31 Jens Schwedler (Ger) Stevens Racing Team
32 Romain Villa (Fra)
33 Fabian Brezinski (Ger)
34 Vladimir Kyzivat (Cze)
35 David Derepas (Fra)
36 Florian Vogel (Swi)
37 Bart Dirkx (Ned)
38 Miguel Martinez (Fra)
39 Alexander Moos (Swi)
40 David Rusch (Swi)
41 Milan Barenyi (Svk)
42 Robert Glajza (Svk)
43 Emil Hekele (Cze) Zekof Team
44 Martin Gujan (Swi)
45 Jens Reuker (Ger) RC Olympia
46 Alessandro Fontana (Ita)
47 Johannes Sickmüller (Ger) Stevens Racing Team
48 Julien Belgy (Fra) Bouygues Telecom
49 Felix Gniot (Ger)
50 Mirco Balducci (Ita)
51 Massimo Folcarelli (Ita)
52 Václav Metlicka (Svk) Team Kral R.C. Pfeil Hof E.V
53 Pietro Pavoni (Ita)
54 Alessandro Di Tano (Ita)
55 Ivan Fanelli (Ita)
56 Gerhard Kernn (Aut)

Elite Women  

1 Daphny Van Den Brand (Ned) ZZPR.nl
2 Marianne Vos (Ned)
3 Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger) Vlaanderen-Capri Sonne-T Interim
4 Nadia Triquet (Fra)
5 Laurence Leboucher (Fra) Heijdens-Ten Tusscher
6 Maryline Salvetat (Fra) Lapierre International
7 Helen Wyman (GBr)
8 Birgit Hollmann (Ger)
9 Reza Ravenstein (Ned)
10 Daniela Bresciani (Ita)
11 Lyne Bessette (Can)
12 Arenda Grimberg (Ned) Therme Skin Care
13 Anja Nobus (Bel)
14 Christel Ferrier-Bruneau (Fra)
15 Paola Bortolin (Ita)
16 Veerle Ingels (Bel) Vlaanderen-Capri Sonne-T Interim
17 Britt Jochems (Ned)
18 Monica Brunati (Ita)
19 Susanne Juranek (Ger)
20 Francesca Cuccinello (Ita)
21 Petra Hofs (Ned)
22 Nicole De Bie- Leyten (Ned)
23 Nicoletta Bresciani (Ita)
24 Milena Cavani (Ita)
25 Susy Godart (Lux)
26 Sarra Massaglia (Ita)

U23 Men  

1 Darius Gil (Pol) Paged-MBK-Scout
2 Marco Fontana (Ita)
3 Lukas Flückiger (Swi)
4 Yves Corminboeuf (Swi)
5 Pirmin Lang (Swi)
6 Davide Malacarne (Ita)
7 Luca Damiani (Ita)
8 Derik Zampedri (Ita)
9 Rafael Visinelli (Ita) V.C. Bologna
10 Julien Taramarcaz (Swi)
11 Marius Gil (Pol) Strzelce Krajenskie
12 Fabio Ursi (Ita)
13 Andreas Moser (Swi)
14 Alessandro Grandi (Ita)
15 Renè Lang (Swi)
16 Daniele Fratini (Ita)
17 Kristof Boelens (Bel)
18 Gabriele Guitori (Ita)
19 Laris Bonpiri (Ita)
20 Paolo Salvi (Ita)
21 Davy Traen (Bel)
22 Marius Petrache (Rom)
23 Giovanni Gatti (Ita)
24 Ivan Andrea Zuchi (Ita)
25 Emanuele Ferro (Ita)
26 Andrea Balpra (Ita)
27 Francesco Scapin (Ita)

Juniors  

1 Robert Gavenda (Svk)
2 Christian Cominelli (Ita)
3 Allessandro Calderan (Ita)
4 Andrea Caimi (Ita)
5 Matthias Fluckiger (Swi)
6 Fabrizio Braggion (Ita)
7 Omar Sottocornola (Ita)
8 Omar Bezzini (Ita)
9 Manuele Gaola (Ita)
10 Giancarlo Faia (Ita)
11 Christian Romaro (Ita)
12 Luigi Saronni (Ita)
13 Matteo Sottocornola (Ita)
14 Luca Mangarotti (Ita)
15 Anrea Mercelli (Ita)
16 Andrea Tucci (Ita)

Courtesy of cyclo-cross.info