Sven Nys (Crelan-KDL) was able to avenge his previous performance at Azencross with a win, where he crashed spectacularly, and then chased down a beer tossing heckler as he pulled out of the 2012 edition of the race.
Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus) lead the way early and was able to take the intermediate sprint to take back 5 seconds from Nys’ overall series lead. After a few fast laps on the front, Albert settled in, and moved to the back of the large lead pack, letting his teammate Philipp Walsleben take over the duties on the front. The quick rest saw Albert come back to the front, and the lead group shrank to just two riders, Albert and Nys. Albert again slowed the pace, and riders were able to rejoin the front of the race. As the group swelled, Albert again went on the attack, whittling the group back down to himself and Nys.
Nys decided to take a crack at the front, and again the pace slowed enough for riders to catch back on. Klaas Vantornout (Sunweb-Napoleon Games), Zdenek Stybar (Omega Pharma – Quick-Step), and Jim Aernouts (Sunweb – Napoleon Games) were among those losing touch and regaining as Albert and Nys pushed and relaxed the pace. It was a bike change that saw the first significant lead of the day. Nys was able to get through the pits quickly, but Albert was hung up, and took longer to get through. Albert pushed to try and regain contact, but the best he could do was 10 seconds back. At that point, he knew he was racing for second, baring a mistake or mechanical by Nys. The World Champion kept the door shut though, and was able to hold on for the win. Peeters was able to fight off Albert to take second place, leaving Albert to settle for third after an incredible effort all day.
After two straight World Cup losses to Katie Compton (Trek Cyclocross Collective), Marianne Vos (Rabobank-Liv/Giant) took the win in Loenhout at the Azencross round of the Bpost Bank Trofee. After dry and fast conditions at the Zolder World Cup, Azencross was a slower, sloppier race in deep mud. Compton would have to settle for second place, with Helen Wyman (Kona) taking the final step of the podium.
Men’s Results
- Sven Nys (Bel) Crelan KDL Cycling Team 1:01:52
- Rob Peeters (Bel) Telenet-Fidea Cycling Team 0:00:21
- Niels Albert (Bel) BKCP-Powerplus Cycling Team 0:00:24
- Klaas Vantornout (Bel) Sunweb-Napoleon Games Cycling Team 0:00:43
- Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Omega Pharma-QuickStep 0:00:48
- Philipp Walsleben (Ger) BKCP-Powerplus 0:00:54
- Wietse Bosmans (Bel) BKCP-Powerplus Cycling Team
- Jim Aernouts (Bel) Sunweb-Napoleon Games Cycling Team 0:00:58
- Julien Taramarcaz (Swi) BMC Mountainbike Racing Team 0:01:03
- Bart Wellens (Bel) Telenet-Fidea Cycling Team 0:01:10
- Twan van den Brand (Ned) Orange Babies Cycling Team 0:01:15
- Radomir Simunek (Cze) Kwadro-Stannah Cycling Team 0:01:24
- Bart Aernouts (Bel) AA Drink Cycling Team
- Thijs van Amerongen (Ned) AA Drink Cycling Team
- Eddy van IJzendoorn (Ned) Team Natubalans-Apex 0:02:08
- Kevin Pauwels (Bel) Sunweb-Napoleon Games Cycling Team 0:02:12
- Sven Vanthourenhout (Bel) Crelan KDL Cycling Team 0:02:21
- Tom Meeusen (Bel) Telenet-Fidea Cycling Team
- Martin Bina (Cze) Kwadro-Stannah Cycling Team 0:02:35
- Micki Van Empel (Ned) Crelan KDL Cycling Team 0:03:00
- Joeri Adams (Bel) Telenet-Fidea Cycling Team 0:03:09
- Patrick Gaudy (Bel) The Barracuda Company 0:03:21
- Lubomir Petrus (Cze) BKCP-Powerplus Cycling Team 0:03:40
- Steve Chainel (Fra) 0:04:03
- Patrick van Leeuwen (Ned) Orange Babies Cycling Team 0:04:07
- Sascha Weber (Ger) Team Differdange-Losch 0:04:48
- Kenneth Hansen (Den) Cannondale-Haderslev 0:04:53
- Kevin Cant (Bel) Primator Cyclingteam 0:04:58
- Ian Field (GBr) Hargroves Cycles 0:05:07
- Davy Commeyne (Bel) Accent Jobs-Wanty Cycling Team 0:05:10
- Stef Boden (Bel) 0:05:43
- Kevin Eeckhout (Bel) Coolens Cycling Team 0:06:22
- Niels Koyen (Bel) DNCS-Pro 2012 Cycling Team 0:07:41
- Ben Berden (Bel) Raleigh-Clement -1lap
- Augustyn Navarro (Spa) -1lap
- James Spragg (GBr) Team Bergamont Bicycles by BMC Group -1lap
- Yannick Mayer (Ger) Team Baier Landshut -1lap
- Max Walsleben (Ger) -1lap
- Alexander Revell (NZl) -2laps
- Christoph Ambroziak (Ger) Gunsha Racing Team -3laps
- Edmond Angus (NZl) -3laps
- Shinya Ikemoto (Jap) -4laps
- Christophe Cavazzana (Fra) -4laps
Women’s Results
- Marianne Vos (Ned) Rabobank Liv/Giant 0:43:58
- Katie Compton (USA) Trek Cyclocross Collective 0:00:47
- Helen Wyman (GBr) Kona Factory Racing 0:01:04
- Sanne Cant (Bel) Enertherm-BKCP 0:01:23
- Nikki Harris (GBr) Young Telenet-Fidea Cycling Team
- Lucie Chainel (Fra) BH-SR Suntour-KMC 0:01:45
- Sophie de Boer (Ned) Young Telenet-Fidea Cycling Team 0:01:48
- Ellen Van Loy (Bel) DNCS-Pro 2012 Cycling Team 0:01:55
- Eva Lechner (Ita) 0:02:09
- Loes Sels (Bel) DNCS-Pro 2012 Cycling Team 0:02:18
- Lucinda Brand (Ned) 0:02:40
- Sabrina Stultiens (Ned) Rabobank Liv/Giant 0:02:50
- Crystal Anthony (USA) Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 0:03:10
- Martina Mikulaskova (Cze) TJ Stadion Louny 0:03:17
- Githa Michiels (Bel) Toka Print MTB Team 0:03:20
- Anna van der Breggen (Ned) 0:03:33
- Gabriella Durrin (GBr) Rapha-Focus 0:03:36
- Nicole Duke (USA) Marin-Spy 0:03:39
- Maureen Bruno Roy (USA) Bob’s Red Mill p/b Seven Cycles 0:04:01
- Monique van de Ree (Ned) 0:04:17
- Thalita de Jong (Ned)
- Karen Verhestraeten (Bel) Up Cycling Team 0:04:33
- Courtenay McFadden (USA) Bicycle Blue Book-HRS-Rock Lobster 0:04:41
- Nikola Noskova (Cze) KC Kooperativa SG Jablonec 0:04:50
- Arley Kemmerer (USA) C3-Twenty20 Cycling 0:04:57
- Elle Anderson (USA) Cal Giant Berry Farms-Specialized 0:05:01
- Jolien Verschueren (Bel) Cycling Team Drogenboom 0:05:04
- Asa Maria Erlandsson (Swe) Varbergs MTB-Cube 0:05:22
- Margriet Helena Kloppenburg (Den) Endura Lady Force 0:05:41
- Lizzy Witlox (Ned) 0:05:50
- Cindy Bauwens (Bel) 0:06:31
- Ilona Meter (Ned) Giant 0:07:00
- Katrien Thijs (Bel) Up Cycling Team 0:07:21
- Mirre Stallen (Ned) 0:07:29
- Shana Maes (Bel) Kriekel Cycling Team 0:07:35
- Lindy Van Anrooij (Ned) ZRTC Theo Middelkamp 0:07:36
- Christine Vardaros (USA) Team Stevens 0:07:50
- Hilde Quintens (Bel) Cycling Team Zemst VZW 0:08:03
- Stephanie Vaxillaire (Fra) Pedale Semuroise 0:08:30
- Annelies Van Doorslaer (Bel) 0:08:50
- Kristien Nelen (Bel) 0:09:06
- Gertie Willems (Bel) Kriekel Cycling Team -2laps
- Cisek Corey Coogan (USA) -2laps
- Ilse Vandekinderen (Bel) -2laps
- Marijke De Pauw (Bel) Noord-West Brabant -2laps
- Francine Meehan (Irl) -2laps
- Tine Verdeyen (Bel) Cycling Team Zemst VZW -2laps
- Silke Baumer (Bel) Vlaamse Triatlon & Duatlon CT -2laps
- Lene Vrijsen (Bel) -2laps
- Brenda Kaczmarczyk (Bel) -2laps
- Cindy Diericx (Bel) Autoglass Wetteren Solar CT-3laps
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