Cyclo-Cross World Cup #5 - CDM

Pijnacker, Netherlands, November 12, 2006

2005 Results Results

Nys, master of the mud, wins his son a birthday present

By Brecht Decaluwé

Sven Nys was in a class of his own
Photo ©: Frank Bodenmuller

Sven Nys (Rabobank) bounced back from his bad luck during yesterday’s race and won his third world cup race of the season. The Belgian champion was the only one who could answer an early attack from Frenchman Francis Mourey (Fdjeux.com) who won the last world cup race in Treviso. After three laps, Nys accelerated and proved to be the strongest rider in the mud - nobody saw the leader of the UCI-rankings again. Team Rabobank will be happy to see that they had the winner, but also that all of five of their riders managed a top ten result.

With this victory, the Belgian took revenge for his bad luck in Niel. "It’s not really revenge - it’s the birthday of my son, and then I’m always able to do something more, especially in a world cup race," Nys explained. A few weeks ago, Nys waited much longer before going on the attack. "On these muddy courses it doesn't matter if you ride alone or with someone else. You always need to choose your own track," Nys said.

Francis Mourey proves to be the strongest challenger to Sven Nys in the world cup races. "Mourey didn't ride yesterday [in Niel], so he was fresher than most of us; he was the man to follow at the start. Nevertheless he couldn't follow my pace later on in the race," said Nys.

Francis Mourey once more showed his good form with a second place, and following his recent successes, he may have set new targets for the rest of the season. "My form is great, that’s for sure; actually I don't even like these muddy races as I prefer faster courses. I’m eager to win at the world championships!" Mourey said.

Behind the two protagonists there was a fight going on between a pair from Rabobank and one from Fidea. Eventually Rabobank won that duel, as Dutch champion Gerben De Knegt took third place before team mate Richard Groenendaal. Klaas Vantornout (Fidea) worked hard for world champion Erwin Vervecken who, with a fifth place, failed to make the podium in a world cup race for the first time this season.

Bart Wellens (Fidea) had plenty of luck yesterday, but was that luck went completely wrong today. He crashed early on in the race, nearly knocking himself unconscious. He was forced to stop for a few minutes to recover, but then started an impressive pursuit. Concerned about gaining valuable UCI points, he put in brave effort, but couldn't make the top ten.

"I don't know what happened really... I was following Wilant Van Gils (ZZPR) when he slipped away. I tried to get past him, but he swept me to the side - nothing wrong with that knock, as those manoeuvres are common in cyclo-cross. This time I crashed and my head hit a balustrade; something cracked, and I don't know if it was my helmet or my neck. Many things flashed through my mind, and I fainted. In the end, I was happy that I was able to ride on because this could've ended much worse," an emotional Wellens explained. The Belgian started his comeback in 40th position; he only lost time on winner Sven Nys and could manage an eleventh place. "I’m nothing with that position - it was so important to get a good result over here," said a disappointed Wellens.

How it unfolded

In pursuit of Nys
Photo ©: Frank Bodenmuller

Right after the start, there was a big crash which impeded none of the big names except Bart Wellens. Sven Vanthourenhout (Rabobank) led the bunch through the first lap. Francis Mourey took over in lap two and managed a gap of 50 metres, but Nys reacted immediately and easily came back on the French rider. Behind those two riders, De Knegt, Vanthourenhout, Groenendaal and Kevin Pauwels (Fidea) tried hard to chase back. A few moments later Wellens crashed while trying to get back in a good position after his bad start. De Knegt and Groenendaal dropped the other riders but were already following at around 20" from the leaders.

Just before halfway Nys launched a strong attack, and Mourey couldn't answer the move and was quickly 10" behind. De Knegt and Groenendaal were holding the leaders at 30", while Vantornout and Vervecken tried to reduce the gap on the two Rabobank riders. Mourey did well to fend off the Dutch tandem, but once again, it was Nys with flawless form who was the best, gaining his tenth win of the season.

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Frank Bodenmuller/PhotoSport International

The women’s race passes some typical Dutch scenery.
Hanka Kupfernagel stretches out the women’s field.
Kupfernagel on the attack.
Hanka Kupfernagel takes the win in Pijnacker.
Kupfernagel out in the lead with just windmills for company.
The women's podium.
Nys wins his third world cup this season.
The men's field trying to chase down Sven Nys.
Malte Urban (Heinz Von Heiden Team Hannover) crashes out of the race.
Sven Nys (Rabobank) was in a class of his own again.
The men's podium (l-r): Francis Mourey (Française Des Jeux), Sven Nys (Rabobank) and Gerben De Knegt (Rabobank)
Francis Mourey (Française Des Jeux) had great form today.
Erwin Vervecken (Fidea Cycling Team) missed out on a world cup podium for the first time this season.
Richard Groenendaal (Rabobank) gets his race face on.
Erwin Vervecken (Fidea Cycling Team) contemplates an hour in the mud.
Birgit Hollmann on her way to a podium finish.
Hanka Kupfernagel focuses before the start.
World champion Marianne Vos was slightly off the pace today.
A mud-splattered Vos at the finish.
Brit Helen Wyman did a great ride today, finishing 4th.

Images by AFP Photo

Sven Nys (Rabobank) attacks the ramp section on his way to victory.

Results

Elite Men

1 Sven Nys (Bel) Rabobank                         1.06.55
2 Francis Mourey (Fra) Française Des Jeux            0.30
3 Gerben De Knegt (Ned) Rabobank                     0.40
4 Richard Groenendaal (Ned) Rabobank                 0.43
5 Erwin Vervecken (Bel) Fidea Cycling Team           0.57
6 Klaas Vantornout (Bel) Fidea Cycling Team          1.15
7 John Gadret (Fra) AG2R Prevoyance                  1.24
8 Bart Aernouts (Bel) Rabobank                       1.29
9 Sven Vanthourenhout (Bel) Rabobank                 1.54
10 Kevin Pauwels (Bel) Fidea Cycling Team            2.00
11 Bart Wellens (Bel) Fidea Cycling Team             2.05
12 Thijs Al (Ned) Bejan-Rings                        2.13
13 Davy Commeyne (Bel) Palmans Collstrop             2.34
14 Wilant Van Gils (Ned) ZZPR.nl                     2.40
15 Zdnek Stybar (Cze) Fidea Cycling Team             2.50
16 Petr Dlask (Cze) Fidea Cycling Team               3.11
17 Christian Heule (Swi) Stevens Racing Team         3.41
18 Marco Aurelio Fontana (Ita)                       3.50
19 Marco Bianco (Ita) l'Arcobaleno Carraro Team      3.55
20 David Derepas (Fra) Jartazi-7Mobile               4.10
21 Romain Villa (Fra)                                4.34
22 Radomir Simunek (Cze) Palmans Collstrop           4.45
23 Kamil Ausbuher (Cze) Cykloklub Podborany          4.50
24 Jan Verstraeten (Bel) Fidea Cycling Team          4.51
25 Simon Zahner (Swi)                                4.52
26 Nicolas Bazin (Fra)                               4.55
27 Ronald Mutsaars (Ned) ZZPR.nl                     5.00
28 Thorsten Struch (Ger)                             5.15
29 Jan Soetens (Bel) Jartazi-7Mobile                 5.17
30 Mariusz Gil (Pol) LKS Pom Strzelce                5.41
31 Stefano Toffoletti (Ita)                          5.50
32 Zdenek Mlynar (Cze) AC Sparta Praha               5.57
33 Lukás Kloucek (Cze) Cyklo Team Budvar Tábor       6.07
34 Camiel Van Den Bergh (Ned) Stevens Racing Team    6.25
35 Jan Chrobak (Cze) Rabobank                        6.33
36 Marek Cichosz (Pol) Entente Cycliste Raismes      6.37
37 Clément Lhotellerie (Fra) Credit Agricole         6.40
38 Milan Barenyi (Svk) CK ZP Sport A.S.              6.43
39 Isaac Suarez Fernandez (Spa) Russafa P.C.         7.36
40 Ondrej Bambula (Cze) Cyklo Team Budvar Tábor      7.54
41 Anthony Colas (Fra)                               8.15
42 Robert Gavenda (Svk) CK ZP Sport A.S.             9.10

One lap down

43 Joachim Parbo (Den) Cycling Aarhus
44 Andrzej Kaiser (Pol) DHL Author
45 Dariusz Gil (Pol) KS Scout
46 Gusty Bausch (Lux)
47 Robert Glajza (Svk) CK ZP Sport A.S.
48 Vaclaf Metlicka (Svk)
DNF Maarten Nijland (Ned) Procomm-Van Hemert
DNF Bart Dirkx (Ned)
DNF Maros Kovac (Svk) Dukla Trencin
DNF Rafael Visinelli (Ita) CCV Ciaponi
DNF Stefano Boggia (Ita) Ceramica Flaminia
DNF Malte Urban (Ger) Heinz Von Heiden Team Hannover
DNF René Birkenfeld (Ger) Stevens Racing Team
DNF Lukasz Mudyn (Pol) Bazta Bytow
DNF Mauro Gonzalez Fontan (Spa)
DNF Oscar Vazquez Crespo (Spa)
DNF Peter Presslauer (Aut) Stevens Racing Team

Women

1 Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger)                                43.39
2 Daphny Van Den Brand (Ned)                              0.41
3 Birgit Hollmann (Ger)                                   1.11
4 Helen Wyman (GBr) Team FBUK                             1.23
5 Veerle Ingels (Bel) Vlaanderen - Caprisonne - T Inte    1.51
6 Reza Hormes-Ravenstijn (Ned)                            2.35
7 Laurence Leboucher (Fra)                                2.59
8 Nadia Triquet-Claude (Fra)                              3.07
9 Marianne Vos (Ned)                                      3.35
10 Susanne Juranek (Ger) Atom
11 Loes Gunnewijk (Ned) Buitenpoort-Flexpoint Team        3.50
12 Christel Ferrier-Bruneau (Fra)
13 Arenda Grimberg (Ned)                                  3.56
14 Sanne Cant (Bel)                                       4.25
15 Kathy Ingels (Bel)                                     4.40
16 Joyce Vanderbeken (Bel)                                4.50
17 Anja Nobus (Bel)                                       5.11
18 Christine Vardaros (USA) Lotto-Belisol Ladiesteam      5.37
19 Linda Van Rijen (Ned)                                  5.56
20 Hilde Quintens (Bel)                                   6.19
21 Rosa Maria Bravo Soba (Spa)                            6.29
22 Nancy Bollansee (Bel)                                  6.31
23 Francesca Cucciniello (Ita)                            6.36
24 Gabriella Day (GBr) Team FBUK                          6.39
25 Milena Cavani (Ita)                                    6.41
26 Nicole Kampeter (Ger)                                  7.36
27 Nicoletta Bresciani (Ita)                              8.25
28 Sanne Van Paassen (Ned)                                8.28
29 Vania Rossi (Ita) Unibet.C´com                         9.14
30 Alessandra Fatato (Ita)                                9.20
31 Suzie Godart (Lux) Team FBUK                           9.30
32 Britt Jochems (Ned) Davitamon-Lotto                    9.33
33 Katrien Aerts (Bel)                                    9.35
34 Elke Riedl (Aut)                                      10.21

One lap down

35 Aida Nuno Palacio (Spa)
36 Mika Ogishima (Jpn)
DNF Claudia Seidel (Ger)
DNF Daniela Bresciani (Ita)
DNS Anne Kathrin Wolf (Ger)

U23  

1 Dieter Vanthourenhout (Bel)
2 Thijs van Amerongen (Ned)
3 Boy van Poppel (Ned)
4 Eddy van Yzendoorn (Ned)
5 Finn Heitemann (Ger)
6 Wim Leemans (Bel)
7 Tom Meeusen (Bel)
8 Ricardo Vander Velde (Ned)
9 Rob Peeters (Bel)
10 Maxim Debusschere (Bel)
11 Ivar Hartogs (Ned)
12 Lukas Keller (Ger)
13 Patrick van Leeuwen (Ned)
14 Giel Berg (Ned)
15 Joeri Kouwenhoven (Ned)
16 Kevin Cant (Bel)
17 Daan De Jonge (Bel)
18 Dennis Verhoeven (Bel)
19 Rik van Yzendoorn (Ned)
20 Marcin Sobiepanek (Pol)
21 Johim Ariesen (Ned)
22 Sascha Wagner (Ger)
23 Yannik Tiedt (Ger)
24 Florian Schrõder (Ger)
25 Sylvester Janiszewski (Pol)
26 Mitchell Huenders (Ned)
27 Patrick Vliegen (Ned) WTC Woerden
28 Adam Bycka (Pol)
29 Kondrat Jasik (Pol)
30 Richard Sleumer (Ned)

One lap down

31 Mario van der Stoep (Ned)
32 Luuk van Vliet (Ned)
33 Frank Sikking (Ned)
34 Enrico Liebe (Ned)
DNF Jan Arnouts (Bel)
DNF Arjan Dekker (Ned)
DNF Kenny Geluykens (Bel)
DNF Remco Kuijlenburg (Ned)
DNF Stephan Sprinke (Ger)