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2009 Cyclo-cross World Championships - CM
Hoogerheide, The Netherlands, January 31-February 1, 2009
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Stage 4 - February 1: Elite Men, 65 minutes
Albert leads Belgians to victory
Defending champion Boom disappoints Dutch fans with 20th
By Brecht Decaluwé and Bjorn Haake in Hoogerheide, Netherlands
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Niels Albert gave the best indication yet of his potential for cyclo-cross greatness with an emphatic win in the elite men's world championship race today in Hoogerheide. Last year's Under 23 world champion finished 22 seconds ahead of Czech national champion Zdenek Stybar, after title favourite, Belgium's Sven Nys, had launched a counter attack late in the race but could only hold on for the bronze medal, 40 seconds behind his countryman.
Going into the race, most observers were anticipating the 'David and Goliath' battle between the Belgian armada and defending world champion Lars Boom (Netherlands). However, Boom's jours sans allowed Stybar to step into the fray, and he proved to be the toughest rider for the Belgians to crack. After several attacks during the first lap, fellow young gun Niels Albert (Belgium) escaped during the second lap, and the 22-year-old built up a 15-second lead that proved to be insurmountable.
Having endured a tough recovery following a serious accident earlier in the season, Albert was understandably elated with his title. "This is the biggest moment in my career. Hopefully many more moments like this will follow," said Albert, explaining that, "This morning I decided that I would attack early on; that's my style of racing." In all three men's events at these world championships early solo attacks have proved to be successful, resulting in wins for Tijmen Eising, Philipp Walsleben and now Albert.
"I had a super day, and for the first time in my life, I got away well. The course was perfect for me," Albert said about the super fast, frozen course in Hoogerheide.
Albert spoke of the motivation he enjoyed during today's race, the pinnacle of a tough season heavily punctuated by a ruptured spleen suffered during a bad crash late last year. He was forced to sit out a number of races as a result, so the world titles took on added meaning for the young Belgian.
"After my crash in Asper, I had two goals remaining. I was good at the Belgian Championships where I finished second, and now I'm winning the biggest race of the season. Not much wrong with that," said Albert. "During the last two laps I was saying to myself, 'You've got a chance to save your season, you can't mess it up now'. The last lap was very special. I live less than an hour away from Hoogerheide, and it felt like riding at home."
Nys didn't appear too disappointed with bronze, although he must be smarting, having proven his dominance in this season's world cup series. "Last year we also had a winner of the new generation and then I finished third as well," said Nys. "During the season, overall, I was the strongest rider. I feel good with the outcome of this race. During the last lap I felt really strong but by then the gap with the two guys in front was too big," he added. "The best rider of the team was in the front and behind him there was a perfect team."
Albert makes move early
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When Steve Chainel (France) was unable to close the gap Albert had created on lap two, it was left to Stybar to make up the deficit, and he launched a stinging counter attack. His move was marked by Nys and Sven Vanthourenhout, but the Czech was able to drop the two Belgians. Halfway through the third lap Stybar had bridged up to Albert but he was thrown back again. "I unclipped from my pedal and lost 10 metres... otherwise I would've been on his wheel," explained Stybar. "It cost me a lot of power. During the last three laps I was cramping. Mentally, Albert was stronger."
Defending champion Boom couldn't live up to expectations. The current Dutch champion had predicted another rainbow jersey and played mind games with his Belgian rivals during the week leading up to the title race. Boom looked strong early in the race, but from the second lap on the young Dutch talent dropped back. Multiple bike changes didn't help, and eventually Boom finished 20th. "I wasn't very good today, and I lost a lot of time because I had to change my bike," said Boom after the finish.
Strong riders like Boom or Danish champion Joachim Parbo weren't suited to the conditions that prevailed in Hoogerheide; an absence of mud, that would've made the race more selective, was more conducive to a punchy rider such as Albert, and the result told the story. "On another course, maybe I would have been able to win," Boom conceded.
Other riders were thrilled by the state of the course, however. The long, fast-sloped stretches had few technical obstacles. Adding frost and dry weather made this particular cyclo-cross race look and feel more like a criterium. Consequently, mountain biker Marco Aurelio Fontana (Italy) and road racer Francis Mourey (France) came into calculations for the title.
Mourey featured in the main chase group, but he was never able to move up and really contest the rainbow jersey. The Frenchman eventually won the sprint of the 10-man chasing group but admitted that, "I didn't have the best legs. Despite that, I managed to finish fifth so I can't complain about the result."
Fontana finished further back in this group in 11th place, but the slightly built Italian wasn't too happy. "The problem was that our team decided not to work early on. When Albert and Stybar went, I looked around, figuring that it wasn't up to me to close that gap. That way I was without a chance for the win. Maybe next year," he said.
Americans living a bad day
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US National Champion Ryan Trebon had a good start and was riding in about 20th position when he crashed hard during the first lap. The tall Kona racer continued for another lap but then pulled out.
Jeremy Powers was the top American. He had a decent run on the fast Dutch track. "It's not the result that I wanted, but being at this point of the season, it's something I can build upon. I'm 25 years old and I've got plenty of chances left. Today I was racing in a group with Richard Groenendaal and this was his last race," said Powers. "It's the coming of a new wave."
Jonathan Page, silver medalist at the 2007 World Championships, received a late notice that he would be allowed to start for the Americans this year, despite missing a doping control earlier this season. "There was too much emotion for me. People worked so hard to get me here, and I wanted to give something back. I never gave up but my body... I felt like a skeleton on a bike," Page said.
On Saturday only about 5,000 people showed up in Hoogerheide, but for the elite men's decider on Sunday more than 30,000 people attended. The huge crowds forced organisers to close all the passages along the course after the first lap of the elite men's race in order to guarantee public safety.
Next year the World Championships will be held in Tabor, Czech Republic. "Next year there will be two extremely motivated Czech riders," said Albert, referring to Zdenek Stybar and Radomir Simunek Jr. "Tabor is still far away though. Before tomorrow morning, you shouldn't expect me to be back home."
"I'll be sober in three weeks," Albert predicted before heading off for a long night of partying in Baal, Tremelo.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Cyclingnews.com
- Niels Albert powers along the course while the fans cheer him on.
- Albert soloed most of the race.
- The Belgians kept the check on the chasers and raced as a team for once.
- The Belgian dominance was striking
- Albert stormed away and nobody was able to catch him.
- Albert liked the frozen course and his motorbike pace training in the middle of the week paid off.
- Albert happily smiles in his new rainbow jersey.
- Albert went onto the podium with his helmet and threw it into the audience, which almost caused a riot...
- Can't be happier than that.
- Albert is the new World Champion
- Kissing gold is good.
- Kevin Pauwels was part of the Belgian armada that went into the championships as the team to beat.
- Steve Chainel (France) runs on his pursuit of the leaders.
- Lars Boom runs swiftly as he chased another world championship crown.
- Niels Albert looked sensational as he chased his first senior world title.
- Stybar tries hard to catch the lone rider, Albert, but suffered some bad luck.
- Zdenek Stybar (Czech Republic) proved to be the meat in the Belgian sandwich.
- Sven Nys concentrates hard as he tries to make his way back to Albert.
- Klaas Vantornout (Belgium) on his way to rounding out the top 10
- Belgium's Bart Wellens came into worlds with some great form, but couldn't convert that to a win.
- French rider Steve Chainel helped animate the race, with a spirited chase of Niels Albert.
- Switzerland's Christian Heule rode himself to 15th place.
- Radomir Simunek (Czech Republic) was another of the fancied riders, but finished in 26th.
- Dutch rider Lars Boom was defending champion, but couldn't repeat today.
- Niels Albert rode his socks off in pursuit of a world championship.
- Czech rider Zdenek Stybar worked hard all day to bring back Albert.
- Favourite for the title was Sven Nys who made it onto the podium with third.
- Another of Belgium's arsenal was Bart Wellens, who rode well to take fourth.
- Bart Wellens rides hard on his way to fourth in Hoogerheide.
- France's Steve Chainel chases after Niels Albert had got away early in the race.
- Marco Fontana (Italy) and Kevin Pauwels (Belgium) keep each other in their sights.
- Bart Wellens rolls in having secured fourth place in Hoogerheide.
- Belgium's Bart Wellens does his best vampire impersonation after the finish.
- Bart Wellens (Belgium) gets into something warmer after his fourth-place finish.
- Lars Boom (Netherlands) puts on his jacket after finishing in 20th.
- Lars Boom was obviously disappointed at finishing so far back in the field.
- Niels Albert is the king and will wear the rainbow stripes next season.
- Zdenek Stybar had a strong showing and took silver.
- Lars Boom had a disappointing day and finished 20th.
- Niels Albert makes his way to the line ahead of the pack, to secure the win.
- King Albert reigned in Hoogerheide during this year's world championship race.
- Sven Nys leads his two rivals Vantornout and Boom onto the stairs.
- Klaas Vantornout and Lars Boom go head to head up the stairs.
Images by Riccardo Scanferla
- Albert arrives solo at the finish line in Hoogerheide.
- Albert achieved his dream of winning the rainbow jersey.
- A happy Albert showed everyone how strong he is.
- The podium with Stybar, Albert and Nys from left to right.
- Albert enjoyed every moment of it.
- Albert during his tooth test
Images by Dave McElwaine/www.trailwatch.net
- The finishing straight away on paver bricks.
- Al Thijs (Netherlands) gets the hole shot at the start.
- Sven Nys (Belgium) near the front of the start.
- Bart Wellons (Belgium) rounding the first corner.
- Neils Albert (Belgium) leading on a descent into the woods.
- Marek Cichosz (Poland) descending a steep hill.
- Ryan Trebon (USA) struggling after a crash with another rider.
- Lars Boom (Netherlands) is surprisingly not near the leaders.
- Bart Wellons (Belgium) descending.
- Zdenek Stybar (Czech Rep) descending a steep hill.
- Sven Nys (Belgium) descending to a U-Turn on the course.
- Larb Boom (Netherlands) climbing.
- Joachim Parbo (Denmark) on a climb.
- Gusty Bausch (Luxembourg) cornering hard.
- Jeremy Powers (USA) climbing in the woods.
- Petr Dlask (Czech Rep) with a foot down on a tight corner.
- Jonathan Page (USA) well off his usual pace.
- Tens of thousands of fans watch large TV screens as it is not possible for everyone to be near the course.
- Neils Albert (Belgium) leading the race.
- Zdenek Stybar (Czech Rep) riding in second place.
- Bart Wellons (Belgium) riding on a flat section of the course.
- Lars Boom (Netherlands) leading a large group of riders on his way to 20th place.
- One of the many Lars Boom supporters is disappointed he didn't win.
- Matt Shriver (USA) with one lap to go.
- Neils Albert (Belgium) celebrates his victory in front of many of his countrymen.
- Neils Albert (Belgium) celebrating his victory at the finish.
- Neils Albert (Belgium) continuing his celebration at the podium ceremony.
- Men's podium (L-R): Zdenek Stybar (Czech Rep), Neils Albert (Belgium) and Sven Nys (Belgium).
- The crowds were so thick that it was nearly impossible to leave the venue.
Images by Mitch Clinton/www.clintonphoto.com
- Niels Albert rode a perfect race and won the world title.
- Zdenek Stybar was very strong but lacked a bit of luck.
- Niels Albert made an excellent comeback that resulted in him becoming world champion.
- Zdenek Stybar chased down Niels Albert but had a mechanical mishap and finished second.
- Niels Albert is the new world champion after taking the U23 crown last year.
Images by Tom de Meyer/www.TomDeMeyer.be
- Marios Athanasiades (Cyprus)
- Albert went solo
- The Belgians showed a strong team effort
- Richard Groenendaal (Netherlands) rode his last World Championships.
- Albert liked the fast course
- Zdenek Stybar (Czech Republic) chased in vain but ended with silver.
- Sven Nys had a slow start but finished strongly and received bronze.
- Groenendaal on the asphalt shortly before heading back into the dirt.
- Enrico Franzoi (Italy)
- Albert celebrates his win
- Boom didn't have the legs and ended in 20th place.
- Nys reflects on the day
- Albert still can't believe it
- Stybar waves to the crowd
- Albert in the rainbow jersey
- Stybar answers a question during the press conference.
- Nys loved the new team spirit in the Belgian squad.
Results
1 Niels Albert (Belgium) 1.02.24 2 Zdenek Stybar (Czech Republic) 0.22 3 Sven Nys (Belgium) 0.38 4 Bart Wellens (Belgium) 1.10 5 Francis Mourey (France) 1.23 6 Kevin Pauwels (Belgium) 7 Sven Vanthourenhout (Belgium) 1.24 8 Simon Zahner (Switzerland) 9 Steve Chainel (France) 10 Klaas Vantornout (Belgium) 11 Marco Aurelio Fontana (Italy) 12 Thijs Al (Netherlands) 13 Enrico Franzoi (Italy) 1.25 14 Jonathan Lopez (France) 1.26 15 Christian Heule (Switzerland) 1.29 16 Gerben De Knegt (Netherlands) 1.50 17 Petr Dlask (Czech Republic) 1.51 18 Kamil Ausbuher (Czech Republic) 19 Erwin Vervecken (Belgium) 20 Lars Boom (Netherlands) 21 Eddy Van Ijzendoorn (Netherlands) 22 Marcel Wildhaber (Switzerland) 1.52 23 José Antonio Hermida Ramos (Spain) 24 Nicolas Bazin (France) 1.56 25 Wilant Van Gils (Netherlands) 2.01 26 Radomir Simunek (Czech Republic) 2.45 27 Marco Bianco (Italy) 2.46 28 René Birkenfeld (Germany) 2.47 29 Constantino Zaballa Gutierrez (Spain) 2.48 30 Egoitz Murgoitio Rekalde (Spain) 2.51 31 Jody Crawforth (Great Britain) 2.53 32 Isaac Suarez Fernandez (Spain) 33 Fabio Ursi (Italy) 34 Mariusz Gil (Poland) 35 Jeremy Powers (United States Of America) 2.54 36 Marek Cichosz (Poland) 2.59 37 Milan Barenyi (Slovakia) 3.11 38 Richard Groenendaal (Netherlands) 3.25 39 Ian Field (Great Britain) 4.01 40 Joachim Parbo (Denmark) 4.17 41 Javier Ruiz De Larrinaga Ibanez (Spain) 4.26 42 Peter Presslauer (Austria) 4.35 43 Rafael Visinelli (Italy) 4.36 44 Matt Shriver (United States Of America) 4.44 45 Gusty Bausch (Luxembourg) 4.47 46 Martin Haring (Slovakia) 4.48 47 Magnus Darvell (Sweden) 4.49 48 Paul Oldham (Great Britain) 4.56 49 Brian Matter (United States Of America) 5.12 50 Martin Zlamalik (Czech Republic) 5.19 51 Masanori Kosaka (Japan) 5.24 52 Jonathan Page (United States Of America) 5.47 53 Maros Kovac (Slovakia) 6.26 One lap behind 54 Derrick St John (Canada) 55 Jens Westergren (Sweden) Two laps behind 56 Aaron Schooler (Canada) Three laps behind 57 Thijs Van Amerongen (Netherlands) 58 Zoltan Tisza (Hungary) 59 Evgeny Pechenin (Russian Federation) 60 Marios Athanasiades (Cyprus) Four laps behind 61 Martin Vestby (Norway) Five laps behind 62 Keiichi Tsujiura (Japan) 63 Boris Vasilyev (Russian Federation) 64 Alexey Belokrylov (Russian Federation) DNF Paul Voss (Germany) DNF Martin Bina (Czech Republic) DNF Ryan Trebon (USA) DNF Vaclav Metlicka (Slovakia) DNF Rodger Aiken (Ireland)
