LOENHOUT, BELGIUM – On a muddy, rainy day that did not disappoint fans of Azencross, Sanne Cant again proved she belongs among the best in the world by outsprinting Nikki Harris for the win at the GVA Bbost Bank Trophee at Loenhout. The young Belgian champion had marked Katie Compton early in the race, and was the only rider to stay with the American champion in the opening rounds. World Champion Marianne Vos crashed early, and never regained contact with the leaders, finishing in fifth. As Compton and Cant raced around the course, Harris and Katerina Nash were in close pursuit, and a bobble by Compton, which stopped both her and Cant in their tracks, allowed the two chasers to catch back on.
As they came onto one of the many muddy straights of the course in the final laps, Harris and Compton tangled, sending Compton into the mud. There was not enough time for Compton to catch back on to the trio, and with both the world champion and World Cup leader neutralized, the race was down to a sprint between the three. Cant and Harris duked it out, with Cant proving to have the best legs for the finish. The young Belgian threw up her hands in joy. Katerina Nash crossed in third, followed a few moments later by first a muddy Compton, and then a muddy Vos. Meredith Miller had a strong day, finishing eighth, Crystal Anthony finished in 13th, Nicole Duke in 16th, Andrea Smith in 23rd, Nicole Thiemann in 27th, and Christine Vardaros in 31st.
Unofficial Results
1. Sanne Cant, Enertherm-BKCP
2. Nikki Harris, Telenet-Fidea
3. Katerina Nash, Luna
4. Katherine Compton, Trek Cyclocross Collective
5. Marianne Vos, Rabobank Women Team
6. Helen Wyman, Kona Factory Racing
7. Ellen Van Loy, Melbotech
8. Meredith Miller, California Giant-Specialized
9. Gabriella Day
10. Lucie Chainel-Lefevre
11. Pavla Havlikova, Telenet-Fidea
12. Annie Last
13. Crystal Anthony
14. Reza Hormes-Ravenstijn, Orange Babies
15. Githa Michiels
16. Nicole Duke, Raleigh Clement
17. Louise Robinson
18. Joyce Vanderbeken, Vermeeren
19. Martina Mikulaskova
20. Margriet Helena Kloppenburg
21. Asa Maria Erlandsson
22. Nancy Bober, Style & Concept
23. Andrea Smith
24. Katrien Thijs, K. Edegem Bicycle Club-BMX
25. Stephanie De Croock, Wielerclub De Sprinters Malderen
26. Nicole De Bie-Leyten, Telenet-Fidea
27. Nicole Thiemann
28. Bianca Van Den Hoek
29. Kim Van De Steene, Afdeling Oost-Vlaanderen Wbv-Vzw
30. Lucinda Brand
31. Christine Vardaros, Baboco-Revor
32. Genevieve Whitson
33. Hilde Quintens, Melbotech
34. Lindy Van Anrooij
35. Kristien Nelen
36. Nathalie Nijns, Sengers Ladies
37. Masha Mulder
38. Audrey Menut
39. Shana Maes, Kriekel Tessenderlo
40. Marjolein Wijkel
41. Caren Commissaris, W.a.c. Team Hoboken (kon.) V.z.w.
42. Jelena Eric
43. Valerie Boonen, De Kastelse Durvers V.z.w.
44. Tine Verdeyen
45. Keshia Verbeeck, 99 Vzw Schriek
46. Meggie Van Beeumen, Vzw Ijsklokje-Cycling
47. Ilse Vandekinderen
48. Maaike Lanssens, Wc De Molenspurters Meulebeke
49. Ayako Toyooka
