Middelkerke - C2

Belgium, October 16, 2004

2003 Results Results Past Winners

Wellens crashes, Vanthourenhout wins

After his first victory in Ardooie, Sven Vanthourenhout won again today in Middelkerke, said to be the oldest cyclo-cross race in Belgium. The Beernem/Quick Step-Davitamon rider puts himself into a favourite's position for Sunday's Superprestige 'cross in Ruddervoorde, while Bart Wellens (Fidea) had to quit the race after one lap because of a crash in which he bruised his shin. The World Champion will still be able to ride in Ruddervoorde tomorrow, according to his manager Hans van Kasteren.

Sven Vanthourenhout demonstrated his good form by taking a comfortable lead in front of Davy Commeyne, Peter Van Santvliet and Mario De Clercq, whose chasing was in vain. Meanwhile, Frank Vandenbroucke got lapped after three laps, as well as Nico Mattan.

By winning today, Vanthourenhout is confident about the next race too. "A Dutch saying goes 'If you achieve it twice, you'll make it three times' so I guess I'm the favourite now for the first Superprestige, but it will be more difficult," said the Belgian post-race. "In the races that I've won, not all of the main contenders were present, nor did all of the riders risk everything. But I have, because I knew I could win. I wouldn't have gone 100 percent for second or third place, because I would have spared energy for Ruddervoorde then. But I didn't refuse the victory, bearing in mind that I can always be unlucky in Ruddervoorde - and then I would end up with nothing. I'd rather not take that risk."

Results

Elite Men

1 Sven Vanthourenhout (Bel) Quick.Step-Davitamon            58.40
2 Davy Commeyne (Bel) MrBookmaker.com-Palmans                0.29
3 Peter Van Santvliet (Bel) Fidea Cyclocrossteam             0.51
4 Mario De Clercq (Bel) MrBookmaker.com-Palmans              1.05
5 David Willemsens (Bel)                                     1.43
6 Bjorn Rondelez (Bel) Chocolade Jacques-Wincor Nixdorf      1.57
7 Christian Heule (Swi) Stevens International Cyclocross Team    
8 Wim Jacobs (Bel) Fidea Cyclocrossteam                      3.05
9 Anders Klinkby (Den) Vejen BC                              3.22
10 Geert Vandaele (Bel)                                      5.21
11 Nicky David (Bel)                                         6.41
12 Rafael Visinelli (Ita)                                    7.06
13 Paul Van Loon (Bel)                                       7.36
14 Kris Lapere (Bel)                                         8.05
 
1 lap behind
 
15 Stefano Cappitelli (Ita)                                      
16 Valentijn Ponseele (Bel)                                      
17 Freddy De Meester (Bel)                                       
18 Peter Verhofstadt (Bel)                                       
19 Xavier Vermeeren (Bel)                                        
20 Sébastien Durieu (Bel)                                        
21 René Mertens (Bel)                                            
22 Nico Mattan (Bel) Relax-Bodysol                               
23 Frank Vandenbroucke (Bel) MrBookmaker.com-Palmans             
24 Olivier Wullen (Bel)                                          
 
Starters: 26
 
Juniors
 
1 Baptiste Planckaert (Bel) CT Menen                        36.35
2 Tom Lambrechts (Bel)                                       0.52
3 Dieter Poelvoorde (Bel)                                    1.51
4 Jurgen Vercarre (Bel)                                      3.26
5 Tom Decock (Bel)                                           5.06
 
Starters: 6
 
Novices
 
1 Diego Boone (Bel) WC Noordzee Oostende                    31.26
2 Kevin Callewaert (Bel)                                     0.09
3 Cederic Maddens (Bel)                                      2.40
4 Dimi Diels (Bel)                                           2.46
 
Starters: 4

Past winners

2003 Sven Nijs (Bel) Rabobank