Elite Women - February 3: 11:00

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Laurence Leboucher takes gold for France

Laurence Leboucher Photo ©: Rob Karman

By Rob Karman in Zolder

After a hectic start that saw defending champion Hanka Kupfernagel of Germany move to the early lead, Laurence Leboucher of France has won the 2002 Cyclo-Cross World Championships in Zolder, Belgium.

Kupfernagel led for most of the first lap until Leboucher and Daphny Van Den Brand (Ned) caught her and the three began to work together to distance themselves from the field. American Alison Dunlap dangled less than 10 seconds back after a bad start with the next closest chaser another 10 seconds behind.

On the third lap of the five lap contest, Leboucher made her move and powered away from her two companions shortly before Dunlap finally made contact. The powerful Frenchwoman increased her lead to the end, while Van Den Brand and Kupfernagel sat on Dunlap's wheel as she tried to close the gap. Kupfernagel and Van Den Brand easily came around Dunlap after forcing her to lead out the sprint from the front, with the muscular German getting the silver medal.

American Ann Grande came from deep within the field to finish just behind her compatriot in 5th place, combined with a 10th place finish by American Carmen D'Aluisio to net the team win for the USA women's squad.

Photography

Photo's by Rob Karman/www.mtnbikephotos.com.

• Laurence Leboucher (Fra) - scored an impressive win in the Elite Women's race
• Laurence Leboucher - leads Dunlap and Van den Brand
• Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger) - saw her reign as World Champ come to an end
• Hanka Kupfernagel - sprints up the slope
• Dutch Daphny van den Brand - took the bronze medal
• Alison Dunlap (USA) - rode well, but finished just outside the medals
• Ann Grande (USA) - finished in fifth place
• Gina Hall (USA) - finished 10th, giving USA the team prize.
• Laurence Leboucher - salutes the crowd on the podium
• The women's podium - Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger, 2nd), Laurence Leboucher (Fra, 1st) and Daphny van den Brand (Ned, 3rd)

Photos by AFP

• Alison Dunlap (USA) pushes her bike up a climb
• Laurence Leboucher (Fra) enjoys her victory.
• Alison Dunlap (right) just out of the medals in the sprint for second and third, taken out by Daphny Van den Brand (left) and Hanka Kupfernagel (centre).

Results - 15.24 km

1 Laurence Leboucher (Fra)          39.06 (23.386 km/h)
2 Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger)            1.04
3 Daphny Van Den Brand (Ned)
4 Alison Dunlap (USA)
5 Ann Grande (USA)                   1.41
6 Anja Nobus (Bel)                   2.00
7 Reza Hormes-Ravenstijn (Ned)
8 Birgit Hollmann (Ger)
9 Hilde Quintens (Bel)               2.05
10 Carmen D'Aluisio (USA)            2.12
11 Corine Dorland (Ned)              2.41
12 Maria Paola Turcutto (Ita)        2.45
13 Gina Hall (USA)                   2.57
14 Debby Mansveld (Ned)              3.13
15 Corinne Sempe (Fra)               3.35
16 Nicole Leijten (Ned)              4.16
17 Katleen Vermeiren (Bel)           4.22
18 Nicole Kottkamp (Ger)             4.32
19 Maryline Salvetat (Fra)           5.18
20 Victoria Wilkinson (GBr)
21 Isla Rowntree (GBr)               6.01
22 Vania Rossi (Ita)
23 Veronique Belleter (Bel)
24 Paola Bortolin (Ita)              6.32
25 Isabella Wieser (Aut)             6.42
26 Mashimo Masami (Jpn)              6.44
27 Aida Nuņo (Spa)                   7.29
28 Loes Sels (Bel)
29 Marta Vajda (Hun)                 7.56
30 Nekane Lasa (Spa)                 8.03
31 Suzie Godart (Lux)                8.43
32 F. Cucciniello (Ita)              9.43
DNF Rocio Gamonal (Spa)

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