Advertisement

The Men's Podium at Baal 2012 © Bart Hazen

The Men's Podium: Wellens, Nys and Pauwels at Baal 2012 © Bart Hazen

BAAL, BELGIUM – Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet) won the race named after him, in his hometown of Baal this morning. Kevin Pauwels (Sunweb-Revor) took second, but at 46 seconds behind Nys, had no chance of catching the seasoned pro. Finishing third was Bart Wellens (Telenet-Fidea), followed by Zdenek Stybar (Quickstep Cycling Team) and Wellens’ teammate, Rob Peeters. Nys clearly felt emotional racing in his hometown, telling Belgian press that, “This was one hour of goose bumps … It’s been a long time since I could drive off in this way in my own GP. I came out very well out of the Christmas period.”

Pauwels, who is still leading the GvA Trofee series, said, “I’m happy with my second place. In such a course I had not expected.”

US cyclocross fans should be happy to see their own Jonathan Page (Planetbike) finish in the top ten, his best race of the season.

In the women’s race, Daphny van den Brand (AA Drink – Leontien.nl) took the win, followed by Sanne Cant (BOXX Veldritacademie), who was 17 seconds behind. Rounding out the podium was Britain’s Nikki Harris (Telenet-Fidea Cycling Team).

Galleries from Bart Hazen:

Elite Men:

Elite Women:

U23:

Elite Men’s Results:

PlaceName
1Sven Nys (Bel) Landbouwkrediet
2Kevin Pauwels (Bel) Sunweb-Revor
3Bart Wellens (Bel) Telenet-Fidea
4Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Quickstep Cycling Team
5Rob Peeters (Bel) Telenet-Fidea
6Niels Albert (Bel) BKCP-Powerplus
7Sven Vanthourenhout (Bel) Landbouwkrediet
8Bart Aernouts (Bel) Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team
9Klaas Vantornout (Bel) Sunweb-Revor
10Jonathan Page (USA) Planet Bike-Blue Bicycles
11Martin Zlamalik (Cze) Landbouwkrediet - KDL
12Jan Denuwelaere (Bel) Style & Concept
13Thijs Van Amerongen (Ned) Team AA Drink-Leontien.nl
14Thijs Al (Ned) Team AA Drink-Leontien.nl
15Dieter Vanthourenhout (Bel) BKCP-Powerplus
16Mariusz Gil (Pol) Baboco
17Patrick Gaudy (Bel) Barracuda
18Philipp Walsleben (Ger) BKCP-Powerplus
19Kevin Cant (Bel) Van Goethem
20Julien Taramarcaz (Swi)
21Kenneth Van Compernolle (Bel) Style & Concept Cycling Team
22Ben Berden (Bel) Ops Ale-Stoemper
23 (-1 lap)Stijn Huys (Bel) Orange Babies
24Bart Hofman (Bel)
25Geert Wellens (Bel)
26 (-2 laps)Jimmy Tielens (Bel) Team DW Bikes
27Jo Pirotte (Bel)
28Bart Verschueren (Bel) KDL-Landbouwkrediet
29 (-3 laps)Craig Richey (Can) Renner Custom - Raleigh
30 (-4 laps)Jeremy Durrin (USA) J.A.M. Fund - NCC
31 (-5 laps)Tom Dernies (Bel)
32Wouter Been (Ned) WTOS Delft
DNFGerben De Knegt (Ned) Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team
DNFJoeri Adams (Bel) Telenet-Fidea
DNFVincent Baestaens (Bel) Landbouwkrediet
DNFRadomir Simunek (Cze) BKCP-Powerplus
DNFJim Aernouts (Bel) Sunweb-Revor
DNFMarco Bianco (Ita) L«Arcobaleno Carraro Team
DNFDarryn Medhurst (USA)
DNFMike Thielemans (Bel)
DNFTwan Van Den Brand (Ned) WV Schijndel
DNFJohn Spruyt (Bel)

Elite Women’s Results:

PlaceName
1Daphny van den Brand (Ned) AA Drink - Leontien.nl
2Sanne Cant (Bel) BOXX Veldritacademie
3Nikki Harris (GBr) Telenet-Fidea Cycling Team
4Sanne van Paassen (Ned) Brainwash
5Sophie de Boer (Ned) Telenet-Fidea Cycling Team
6Gabriella Day (GBr) Renner Custom Cyclocross Team
7Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Fra)
8Pavla Havlikova (Cze) Telenet-Fidea Cycling Team
9Hilde Quintens (Bel) Van Goethem - Prorace Cycling Team
10Reza Hormes-Ravenstijn (Ned) Orange Babies Cycling Team
11Joyce Vanderbeken (Bel) Cycling Team Vermeeren
12Arenda Grimberg (Ned)
13Ellen Van Loy (Bel) Kriekel Cycling Team Tessenderlo
14Christine Vardaros (USA) Baboco
15Githa Michiels (Bel)
16Nikoline Hansen (Den) Bov CC-Denmark
17Evy Kuijpers (Ned)
18Nancy Bober (Bel) Style & Concept Cycling Team
19Katrien Thijs (Bel) K. Edegem Bicycle Club - BMX R
20 (-2 laps)Suzi Godart (Lux)
21 (-3 laps)Caitlyn La Haye (Bel)