Cyclo-Cross World Cup #3 - CDM

Pijnacker, Netherlands, November 9, 2008

Photography

Race 4 - November 9: Elite Men, 65 minutes

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Images by Cyclingnews.com

• Boom and Albert were neck to neck for most of the race.
• Nys muddles through the puddle
• Bart Wellens causes the water to splash as he bolts through.
• Albert storms up the stair section.
• Nys shows the strains of the effort.
• Rob Peeters is thinking of hopping into the shower with his clothes on.
• Richard Groenendaal (AA Drinks) leads Zdenek Stybar (Fidea, r)) and Klaas Vantornout (Sunweb).
• Boom sprints for the line
• Boom can relax before the finish banner
• Albert gets second
• Nys was hoping for more than third place
• Wellens finished in fourth, just outside the podium.
• Lars Boom takes the win to the delight of the Dutch fans.
• Boom prevailed in the mud in Pijnacker.
• The world champion gets to celebrate as he put enough space between himself and Niels Albert.
• A muddy Boom finally gets a win this winter.
• Albert wipes the mud as he managed to beat Nys, but now was bettered by Boom.
• The podium with winner Lars Boom in the centre and runner-up Niels Albert on the left. Sven Nys finished third this time around.
• Niels Albert leads the World Cup and gets a clean, white jersey to prove it.

Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

• Lars Boom (Rabobank) rolls in for victory in the Pijnacker World Cup.
• Dutchman Lars Boom (Rabobank) checks the gap.
• Victory: Lars Boom (Rabobank) wins the Pijnacker World Cup.
• Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet - Tönissteiner) manages third.
• Riders negotiate water crossings in the Pijnacker World Cup.
• Lars Boom (Rabobank) salutes the crowd in Pijnacker.
• Niels Albert (Palmans Cras) followed by eventual winner Lars Boom (Rabobank).
• Richard Groenendaal (AA Drinks)
• Sven Vanthourenhout (Sunweb Pro Job) finished in fifth.
• Lars Boom (Rabobank) solo.
• Lars Boom (Rabobank) tops the podium with Niels Albert and Sven Nys, l & r.
• Lars Boom (Rabobank) adjusts his World Champion top early on in the race.

Race 3 - November 9: Elite Women, 40 minutes

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Images by Cyclingnews.com

• Katie Compton stormed to the lead quickly, after injury forced her to start from last row due to lack of UCI points.
• Hanka Kupfernagel had a not-o-good start but managed to move up.
• Compton (l) and Kupfernagel fought side by side for a while.
• Compton put the pressure on Kupfernagel a few times.
• But in the end Kupfernagel prevailed.
• Kupfernagel won her second World Cup race this season.
• The podium with winner Hanka Kupfernagel in the centre flanked by runner-up Katie Compton (l) and Czech rider Katerina Nash.

Race 2 - November 9: Under 23, 50 minutes

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Images by Cyclingnews.com

• Aurélien Duval leads early on but Philippe Walsleben (in white) is lurking behind.
• Duval soon was muddy as the Dutch course wasn't easy.
• Quentin Bertholet of Belgium steers through the sand pit.
• Philippe Walsleben took charge and only Belgian Kenneth Van Compernolle could follow.
• A muddy Walsleben said the course didn't suit him and for that he did pretty well.
• Tom Meeusen was very active in the chase
• Jim Aernouts leads his Belgian mates through the sand pit.
• Vincent Bastiaens comes out of the sand
• Van Compernolle had a great race and was the only one to challenge Walsleben.
• As it got muddier, Compernolle lost contact with the German leader.
• Walsleben in a familiar pose this season.
• Walsleben makes it two for two in the World Cup races.
• Van Compernolle was happy with second
• Bjorn Selander rolls across the line.
• Daniel Sumerhill finishes the muddy affair.
• A cleaner version of Van Compernolle celebrates on the podium.
• Aernouts was happy with third
• Walsleben in the familiar winner's position and flanked by second-placed Compernolle (l) and third place Aernouts.
• Walsleben has a commanding lead in the UCI World Cup and gets to wear a jersey that won't look as white next time they head through the mud.
• Flowers for the youngsters.