Lars van der Haar of the Netherlands repeated as U23 world champion today in a dramatic last lap and final sprint ahead of Belgian Wietse Bosmans and Dutch teammate Michael van der Heijden. The trio had been riding together for a few laps, with Bosmans racing smartly to stay with the two Dutch riders. On the last lap, where the slightest factors could make or break a world championship, the trio all nearly came a-cropper on the Herijgers Dune, with Bosmans and van der Haar both stumbling in a corner of deep sand and van der Heijden catching his brake lever on a sign.
That left Bosmans and van der Haar in the lead, and Bosmans seized another advantage on the last dune climb, when van der Haar flinched and gave away five meters with precious little racing left to go. Flemish announcers went berserk there, but van der Haar had the best legs of anyone in the field. He closed the gap quickly with the same burst of speed he'd used to launch several small attacks and tactical maneuvers in the last two laps, and used a second burst to pass Bosmans in a grassy stretch just before the finish. That sewed up the title, with only a left hand turn on pavement and a short distance to the line for van der Haar to hold the lead.
France's Arnaud Jouffroy, by the way, came from way back to nearly make the sprint in a tremendous final lap. Too late for a medal though. Final results:
Good afternoon! Welcome to the second of four world champs races this weekend. This afternoon, it's time for the U23.
Where will they be racing? On sand!
Who will be racing? Startlist
Where can I watch? Sportz-livez or Cyclingfans
When does it start? At 15 CET.
Who will win? Well, they'll pretty much all be chasing Lars van der Haar
Goodmorning! Welcome to the first of four world champs races in the next two days. This morning, it's time for the juniors.
Where will they be racing? On sand!
Who will be racing? Startlist
Where can I watch? Sportz-livez or Cyclingfans
When does it start? At 11am CET.
Who will win? Well, my money's on Holland's Mathieu van der Poel
This week has been so all about cross. Unless you've been living under a rock - and really, if you have been, get out of there! Come out into the light! This weekend is the cyclocross world championship in Koksijde. Not sure what that means?
Cross Worlds start tomorrow! If you can't tell, I am just a little excited. And no, it's not just the doppio I just tossed back. We've previewed the Elite Men and their U-23 counterparts, but we have said nothing of the glamorous ladies who race every bit as hard and put on a spectacle every weekend. I'm on break before I do some "real" work, so join me as I talk through the favorites for this weekend.
I'm going to walk through the favorites to take home the win this weekend - Marianne Vos, Daphny Van den Brand, Katie Compton, and Katarina Nash - and tell you who is going to win, and why. For some espresso-aided speculation, follow me below the jump!
I'm so giddy about the Cross worlds that I'm making up Dutch words that don't exist. [Please say this word doesn't exist, or if it does, that it's not patently offensive.] Anyway, the Podium Cafe will be all over the CX worlds this weekend. I can't keep track of everyone who's actually going to the thing, but I know we'll have some post-race impressions posting. And I know we have our man Patrick Verhoest credentialed for photos. Patrick is in Koksijde today and sends the following:
Koksijde is getting ready ... the village of Koksijde is situated at the sea (about 50 kms from my place). It isn't possible anymore to buy tickets , they estimate about 50 000 to 55 000 spectators over the 2 days …A lot of beer is going to be drunk …you may be sure of that.
Yes, I need no further assurance on that point. Actually that describes most weekends in Flanders, but this one even more so. Here are a couple more pictures from around the village today.
So, by now I'm sure you know we have CX worlds coming up this weekend. And you've probably also - if you're an English speaker at least - giggled at the name Koksijde. And you've heard talk of sand, maybe. But, where will they be racing, really? Come find out all about the circuit, below the jump!
Picture by Balint Hamvas, via cyclephotos.co.uk (used with permission)
Will Stybar win again this year? Photo courtesy of Balint Hamvas,
Cyclephotos.co.uk All Rights Reserved
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the second most exciting week of the cyclocross season*, World Championships time! Yes, it is time to crown new world champions and give them lovely white skinsuits they can get muddy all next year! Get excited!
This week we have a slew of features on cross worlds on the way. Albertina has already started us off with a preview of the U-23 men's race, Chris gave us a Power Poll of the elite men, GS is giving us an overview of Koksijde - the course, the history, the SAND - later, and we will have a preview of the Elite Women's field. But, before we get ahead of ourselves, I'm going to walk through some of the basics. What to watch for, schedule, coverage, and more!
*The holy week of cross from Christmas to New Years is totally the best week on the calendar.
