Heavy rain and mud didn’t prevent Francis Mourey from dominating round 4 of the 2013 UCI Cyclocross World Cup in Namur, Belgium today.
The French rider initiated an early lead over the mud laden course – powering his way over the climbs and technical sections of the course.
Indeed, only Klaas Vantornout was able to stay remotely onboard with the leader – finishing 24 seconds back for second place, with Niels Albert rounding out the podium a full half minute down from Mourey.
Following an injury sustained in yesterday’s race, Sven Nys was only able to muster a fourth place finish in today’s event.
Nys found himself distanced by the lead group after a difficult start. However, even after a late fall, he managed to fight his way through the field to earn a respectable finish.
American Jonathan Page finished 20th.
Following the results of today’s race, Lars van der Haar is the leader of the World Cup standings – with total of 257 points.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi1ZNzNAGZ8
Result1. Francis Mourey (Fra) FDJ.fr2. Klaas Vantornout (Bel) Sunweb-Napoleon Games3. Niels Albert (Bel) BKCP-Powerplus4. Sven Nys (Bel) Crelan-KDL5. Lars van der Haar (Ned) Rabobank Development Team6. Tom Meeusen (Bel) Telenet-Fidea7. Thijs van Amerongen (Ned) AA Drink8. Lubomir Petrus (Cze) BKCP-Powerplus9. Philipp Walsleben (Ger) BKCP-Powerplus10. Julien Taramarcaz (Swi) BMC Rcing Team
In women’s event, US champion Katie Compton overcame her chief rival, Marianne Vos, to win today’s race.
Vos took an early lead, and at one point looked poised for victory. However, after recovering from a bad start, Compton upped her pace and began moving through the field – ultimately making her way to Vos.
The American rider eventually powered her way clear of Vos on the hilly course – to claim a solo victory over the World Champion by a huge margin of 40 seconds.
Nikki Harris finished in third place at 47 seconds back – after distancing herself from the Italian national champion Eva Lechner – in the final part of the race.
American Kaitlin Antonneau finished an impressive seventh at 1:48 back, while Helen Wyman finished in tenth spot – after a high-speed crash on an early descent.
After today’s race, Compton had this to say:
“I had to be patient so I rode smart and didn’t make mistakes. I felt better after a couple laps, and I was running well," she explained before hearing the US national anthem ring out across the hills of Namur.
“I was really surprised (about Vos). After I caught her on that run up, I tried to keep the pace consistent. I know she is strong and I didn’t want to go too hard too soon and then lose at the end."
"I’m really happy that I could pull off the win. I haven’t looked at the points (standings in the World Cup). I’m just trying to take it one race at a time and finish the best I can.”
The next race in the UCI cyclo-cross World Cup is in Huesden-Zolder on December 26.
Today’s victory extended Compton’s lead in the World Cup standings – with a total of 230 points.
Nikki Harris follows in second with 185 points.
UCI Cyclocross World Cup – Namur – Elite Women’s Results:
1, Katie Compton (Trek Cyclocross Collective)2, Marianne Vos (Rabo Women) at 40”3, Nicki Harris (Telenet-Fidea) at 47”4, Eva Lechner (Colnago-Sudtirol) at 1’21”5, Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Rabo Women) at 1’23”6, Sanne Cant (Enertherm-BKCP) at 1’34”7, Kaitlin Antonneau (Cannondale Cyclocrossworld) at 1’48”8, Ellen Van Loy (DNCS Pro 2012) at 2’08”9, Lucie Chainel-Lefevre (BH-SR Suntour) at 2’43”10, Helen Wyman (Kona) at 2’46”11, Christine Majerus (Sengers Ladies) at 3’1112, Meredith Miller (Cal Giant Berry Farms) at 3’19”
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