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Nikki Harris and Sanne Cant run through the thick mud at Gavere. © Bart Hazen

Nikki Harris and Sanne Cant run through the thick mud at Gavere. © Bart Hazen

Mud was the name of the game today at Gavere, and Sanne Cant proved herself to be the master player. The 24-year-old rider opted to wear the Belgian flag of her championship skinsuit over the blue and gold as the European champion. At this stage of the season, she deserves to make these decisions: her winning streak at this high level has pounced up to five in a row, leaving us wondering if there will be a dramatic showdown between her and riders like Katerina Nash, who are building up their own winning streaks.

Sanne Cant rode away to take the win on the day, with an impressive season already under her belt. © Bart Hazen

Sanne Cant rode away to take the win on the day, with an impressive season already under her belt. © Bart Hazen

Cant and the United Kingdom’s Nikki Harris fought tooth and nail for most of the race, with Harris creating great opportunities for herself during the runs. Cant, with a perfectly executed move through the mud on the last lap, was able to create a little daylight between them and maintain it until the end, beating Harris by nine seconds.

Ellen van Loy, meanwhile, stayed within sight of the two leaders for part of the race, but appeared as if she knew her limits and eased off the gas just as she came close to reconnecting with the duo. This tactic would eventually guarantee her third place over a minute behind Cant.

Women’s Elite Podium: Sanne Cant took first, with Nikki Harris in second and Ellen van Loy in third. © Bart Hazen

Women’s Elite Podium: Sanne Cant took first, with Nikki Harris in second and Ellen van Loy in third. © Bart Hazen

Sophie De Boer is maintaining top five finishes, crossing the line after fourth place Jolien Verschueren today.

Elle Anderson was the lead American as she finished eighth. She started the season in Europe off with a string of top fives, although sickness over the last two weeks has been brutal on her training, and a top ten finish in horrid weather is certainly a victory. If anything, she is gaining valuable experience in her quiver that she will be able to use in the future, with the European mud offering a much more draining ride than the mud found in all but the most unusual conditions in America.

The crowds also encountered muddy conditions on Sunday. © Bart Hazen

The crowds also encountered muddy conditions on Sunday. © Bart Hazen

Cyclocross Magazine contributor Christine Vardaros was the second finishing America, beating half the field for an impressive 14th.

Many elements on the course that would have been ride-able in drier conditions forced riders to dismount. © Bart Hazen

Many elements on the course that would have been ride-able in drier conditions forced riders to dismount. © Bart Hazen

In the Men’s Elite Race, Klaas Vantornout, Kevin Pauwels,  Mathieu Van der Poel and Tom Meeusen were the early leaders that powered their way through the slog later that day. Like Cant, Vantornout has been having a great season, and has certainly carved his name into the riders to beat. Meeusen’s recent win seemed to spur him on early in the race, and he rode technically well through the mud to offer Vantornout a challenge.

Klaas Vantornout, Kevin Pauwels and Tom Meeusen battled for much of the race, although Meeusen drifted back in the last few laps. © Bart Hazen

Klaas Vantornout, Kevin Pauwels and Tom Meeusen battled for much of the race, although Meeusen couldn’t hold the podium in the last lap. © Bart Hazen

Van der Poel appeared to suddenly be riding on empty in the last half of the race as the three other leaders stormed away, leaving a chasing group of Sven Nys and Lars van der Haar with a lot of work left to do in the race.

Before one lap to go, mistakes by both Pauwels and Meeusen effectively changed the dynamics in two big ways: first, it allowed Vantornout enough time to play the final lap conservatively, taking thoughtful corners in the mud and running where he needed to instead of risking a mechanical. Second, it allowed a big effort by Nys to stick during the length of the final minutes.

Lars van der Haar and Sven Nys were both within striking distance for much of the race, but it was the veteran’s chasing that led him to the podium. © Bart Hazen

Lars van der Haar and Sven Nys were both within striking distance for much of the race, but it was the veteran’s chasing that led him to the podium. © Bart Hazen

Vantornout was able to ride in for first, with Pauwels coming within sight of the leader for the finishing stretch to take second.

Meeusen was the biggest casualty of these events, not only taking him out of the running for the lead, but also giving up his podium spot to Nys.

Sven Nys, Klaas Vantornout, and Kevin Pauwels made up the Men’s Elite podium. © Bart Hazen

Klaas Vantornout, Kevin Pauwels and Sven Nys made up the Men’s Elite podium. © Bart Hazen

Men’s Elite Race, Video:

Men’s Elite Race Video of Superprestige Gavere provided by Cycle Cycle

Superprestige Four, Gavere Women's Elite Race

RankNameNat.Age*Result
1Sanne CANTBEL2441:10:00
2Nikki HARRISGBR2841:19:00
3Ellen VAN LOYBEL3442:15:00
4Jolien VERSCHUERENBEL2442:54:00
5Sophie DE BOERNED2443:52:00
6Christine MAJERUSLUX2744:00:00
7Pavla HAVLIKOVACZE3144:15:00
8Elle ANDERSONUSA2644:42:00
9Githa MICHIELSBEL3145:12:00
10Olatz ODRIOZOLA MUJIKAESP3146:12:00
11Stephanie DE CROOCKBEL3546:25:00
12Bianca VAN DEN HOEKNED3846:27:00
13Esmee OOSTERMANNED1847:49:00
14Christine VARDAROSUSA4547:49:00
15Joyce VANDERBEKENBEL3048:10:00
16Lindy VAN ANROOIJNED1848:25:00
17Femke VAN DEN DRIESSCHEBEL1848:42:00
18Hannah PAYTONGBR2048:56:00
19Monique VAN DE REENED2650:22:00
20Lierni LEKUONA ETXEBESTEESP1951:45:00
21Axelle BELLAERTBEL17
22Jessika TIMMERMANSBEL35
23Chris VAN DORSSELAEREBEL29
24Ayse CAKIRTUR17
25Cindy DIERICXBEL40
26Bsra ™NDERTUR17
27Beyza KAHVECITUR19
28Mesude SENOLTUR17

Superprestige Four, Gavere Men's Elite Race 2014

RankNameNat.Age*Result
1Klaas VANTORNOUTBEL321:07:45
2Kevin PAUWELSBEL301:07:53
3Sven NYSBEL381:08:04
4Tom MEEUSENBEL261:08:18
5Lars VAN DER HAARNED231:08:43
6Mathieu VAN DER POELNED191:09:11
7Philipp WALSLEBENGER271:09:16
8Bart WELLENSBEL361:09:55
9Sven VANTHOURENHOUTBEL331:10:11
10Bart AERNOUTSBEL321:10:21
11David VAN DER POELNED221:10:29
12Corne VAN KESSELNED231:10:31
13Rob PEETERSBEL291:10:31
14Tim MERLIERBEL221:10:48
15Gianni VERMEERSCHBEL221:11:22
16Joeri ADAMSBEL251:11:35
17Thijs VAN AMERONGENNED281:11:48
18Patrick GAUDYBEL371:12:15
19Jim AERNOUTSBEL251:12:32
20Eddy VAN IJZENDOORNNED291:12:46
21Niels WUBBENNED261:13:11
22Ian FIELDGBR281:13:11
23Twan VAN DEN BRANDNED251:13:11
24Jens ADAMSBEL221:13:50
25Patrick VAN LEEUWENNED291:14:01
26Kenneth VAN COMPERNOLLEBEL261:14:14
27Gert-Jan BOSMANNED221:14:53
28Javier RUIZ DE LARRINAGA IBANEZESP351:15:06
29Lubomir PETRUSCZE241:15:41
30Marcel MEISENGER25
31Asier ARREGUI DOMINGUEZESP36
32Kevin VAN HOOVELSBEL29
33Yu TAKENOUCHIJPN26
34Asier URDAIBAIESP24
35Josu ARREGIESP26