Štybar Edges Albert In Vorselaar To Claim Superprestige Overall

February 14th, 2010 by Timothy O'Connor View Comments

Winter made a final statement in Belgium today–fittingly for the finale on one of the coldest, snowiest seasons in recent memory–bringing snow and freezing temperatures back to the cyclocross circuit one more time. But the snow did not deter Zdeněk Štybar or Niels Albert, who delivered to fans one of the most exciting days of this eight race series.

Even before the start it was clear that the race would be a shootout between Štybar and Albert, who have emerged in the last year as two of ‘cross’s biggest rivals, battling throughout the season for both podium places and major titles. The pair entered today’s race tied in the overall classification, and though Štybar told the press earlier this week that he felt Albert had earned a Superprestige title with his early season dominance, it was clear that the World Champion did not intend to go down without a fight.

From the gun, the race shaped up as something of a battle royale, with nearly ten racers trading shots at the front on a very fast, very slippery course that wound through woods and parkland just outside of the center of town. But by the beginning of the final lap, the searing pace and technical course had done their work, and Albert tore down the homestretch alone, pursued by the World Champion, perhaps five seconds behind.

But Štybar managed to connect with Albert a few moments later, and the two went wheel to wheel into the final turns of the course. But Štybar grabbed a lead as the pair hit the final stretch of road, and Albert, unable to respond, sat up, handing the Czech racer, who won the UCI World Cup in January, his second major title of the season.

Behind him, Radomir Simunek took a close third, just edging out Sven Nys, who’s chances at victory were quashed by a fall part way through the race. Dieter Vanthourenhout rounded out the top five, nearly a minute back.

American Jonathan Page improved on his best Superprestige result of the season, a top-ten finish last week in Zonhoven, taking a solo seventh place. Page contended with Klaas Vantornout for sixth during the middle part of the race, but a bobble on one of the course’s numerous slippery corners allowed Vantornout to open a gap that the American could not close.

Štybar’s win gave him a one point edge over Albert in the final classification. Sven Nys, who led the series before a broken derailleur in Diegem at the end of December cost him any chance at the overall title, took third overall.

Brief Results:

1. Zdeněk Štybar

2. Niels Albert

3. Radomir Simunek

4. Sven Nys

5. Dieter Vanthourenhout

6. Klaas Vantornout

7. Jonathan Page

8. Christian Heule

9. Mariusz Gil

10. Bart Wellens

Superprestige General Classification: