Niels Albert and Nikki Harris Slide to Muddy Hamme-Zogge Superprestige Wins – Quotes, Results, Gallery

The race was one of the muddiest of the year, and it was Telenet-Fidea rider Nikki Harris who soloed to her best race result of the season. Behind her, Sanne Cant and Sophie DeBoer battled it out for second and third, with Cant taking second.

Early on, Harris led the race with teammate de Boer, but by the halfway point, Cant had closed the gap to DeBoer, who had fallen off the pace set by Harris.

“This is my least favorite race,” Harris said. “I had a lot of nerves before the start also because I had car problems on my way to the race. I really thought I was going to finish second or third but I won. I am really happy with how things go at the moment and hope to continue my good form in the next two weeks.”

In the men’s race, it was in the final laps that Niels Albert (BKCP Powerplus) took off from current World Champion Sven Nys to take the win, while Nys took a solid second place ahead of season breakout racer Philipp Walsleben, who was able to take third when a mechanical from a crash with Nys took Klaas Vantornout out of contention.

“This big win is a huge relief for me,” said Albert, who has said he has been exhausted from all his recent training.

“The past weeks it didn’t go to well. On the Koppenberg, I couldn’t attack anymore after an acceleration; in Zonhoven, I was good but made a small mistake. Today, my start was bad but I managed to bridge up to the front. Once in the front, I attacked and nobody was able to follow. I never had any doubts, I always believed things would work out… But I can’t deny I was a little insecure. Compare my situation with a soccer player. A player can play well but can’t find the goal. He keeps continuing till he finds the goal. And that was today. This gives me confidence for the next weeks and especially for the Koksijde World Cup.”

The men hit the mud at Hamme Zogge. © Bart Hazen

As for the reigning World Champion, Nys said, “There was nothing to do against Niels today. He was simply the best. He was really strong. If someone is better you have to be fair to admit it. In a tough race like this the stronger riders will always be in front. Actually, I had a pretty good day myself as well and I am satisfied about my race. I preferred to ride my own race after Niels attacked because I just wasn’t good enough to follow him. In the final, I bumped into Vantornout after he made a mistake. I couldn’t avoid him. Too bad his race was ruined afterwards, but I didn’t do it on purpose. I am looking forward to the next weeks with Gavere and Koksijde. Everyone is looking forward too it.”

Results below gallery.

2013 Hamme-Zogge Superprestige Men's Cyclo-cross Race Results

2013 Hamme-Zogge Superprestige Women's Cyclo-cross Race Results