KOKSIJDE, Belgium–Newly crowned European cyclocross champion Sanne Cant (Enertherm-BKCP) claimed the victory at the third round of the 2015 World Cup series in Koksijde moving ahead of defending champion Eva Lechner (Colnago-Sudtirol) to lead in the overall standings.
Lechner was fast off the start of this four-lap race but began to fade as Sophie de Boer (Kalas-NNOF) put in a move followed by Katie Compton (Trek Factory Racing) and Cant, who recovered from a slow start by taking an alternate line through one of the course’s sand pits moving up from tenth place.
The front group swelled once again with several riders still heading up the race as Nikki Harris (VZW Young Telenet Fidea) made her move through the course’s muddy straights leading into lap two.
Cant made the decisive move soon after as the leaders approached the pit area. Harris, apparently having mechanical issues, was unable to match Cant’s surge and pitted, dropping behind Pavla Havlakova (MRM-Avalon) as she reemerged.
Havlakova was next to take up the chase but lost her position to Harris as she pitted on the next lap, falling behind Compton soon after.
Harris began to slowly reel Cant in, spotting her on the straightaway sections but could not close the gap in the short time remaining of this 37-minute race, crossing 17 seconds down on the leader.
Compton demonstrated her return to form after a prolonged illness and recovery period, pleased with her third place finish, just 38 seconds down. Havlakova held on for fourth while de Boer finished off the top five.
Britain’s Helen Wyman (Kona Factory Racing) finished sixth with a consistent showing, using her running abilities to her advantage. Riding for the American Team Ellen Noble placed 14th with Emma White edging out Britain’s Amira Mellor for 26th place in her first ever World Cup performance. Also representing the US, Katheryn Cumming and Christine Varados finished the day in 34th and 39th respectively.
Be sure to check out the Koksijde World Cup Elite Men’s race report for full results and video highlights of Sven Nys’ dramatic victory—his 50th Elite World Cup win.
2015 Koksijde World Cup Elite Women's Results
| Rank | Name | Nat. | Age* | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sanne CANT | BEL | 25 | 37:56:00 |
| 2 | Nikki HARRIS | GBR | 29 | 38:08:00 |
| 3 | Katherine COMPTON | USA | 37 | 38:38:00 |
| 4 | Pavla HAVLIKOVA | CZE | 32 | 38:56:00 |
| 5 | Sophie DE BOER | NED | 25 | 39:14:00 |
| 6 | Helen WYMAN | GBR | 34 | 39:55:00 |
| 7 | Ellen VAN LOY | BEL | 35 | 40:08:00 |
| 8 | Loes SELS | BEL | 30 | 40:14:00 |
| 9 | Eva LECHNER | ITA | 30 | 40:43:00 |
| 10 | Christine MAJERUS | LUX | 28 | 40:44:00 |
| 11 | Sanne VAN PAASSEN | NED | 27 | 41:00:00 |
| 12 | Maud KAPTHEIJNS | NED | 21 | 41:01:00 |
| 13 | Laura VERDONSCHOT | BEL | 19 | 41:18:00 |
| 14 | Ellen NOBLE | USA | 20 | 41:30:00 |
| 15 | Alice Maria ARZUFFI | ITA | 21 | 41:33:00 |
| 16 | Jolien VERSCHUEREN | BEL | 25 | 41:50:00 |
| 17 | Martina MIKULASKOVA | CZE | 22 | 41:54:00 |
| 18 | Karen VERHESTRAETEN | BEL | 24 | 42:01:00 |
| 19 | Jessica LAMBRACHT | GER | 20 | 42:14:00 |
| 20 | Hannah PAYTON | GBR | 21 | 42:25:00 |
| 21 | Lise-Marie HENZELIN | SUI | 24 | 42:45:00 |
| 22 | Aida NUNO PALACIO | ESP | 32 | 42:52:00 |
| 23 | Esmee OOSTERMAN | NED | 19 | 43:04:00 |
| 24 | Bianca VAN DEN HOEK | NED | 39 | 43:26:00 |
| 25 | Femke VAN DEN DRIESSCHE | BEL | 19 | 43:29:00 |
| 26 | Emma WHITE | USA | 18 | 44:06:00 |
| 27 | Amira MELLOR | GBR | 18 | 44:21:00 |
| 28 | Margriet Helena KLOPPENBURG | DEN | 27 | 44:31:00 |
| 29 | Inge VAN DER HEIJDEN | NED | 16 | 44:35:00 |
| 30 | Olivia HOTTINGER | SUI | 17 | 44:42:00 |
| 31 | Lizzy WITLOX | NED | 20 | 44:46:00 |
| 32 | Stefanie PAUL | GER | 29 | 45:25:00 |
| 33 | Asa Maria ERLANDSSON | SWE | 41 | 45:46:00 |
| 34 | Kathryn CUMMING | USA | 29 | 45:47:00 |
| 35 | Bethany CRUMPTON | GBR | 21 | 45:49:00 |
| 36 | Katrien THIJS | BEL | 30 | 45:54:00 |
| 37 | Mercedes PACIOS PUJADO | ESP | 32 | |
| 38 | Elena VALENTINI | ITA | 23 | |
| 39 | Christine VARDAROS | USA | 46 | |
| 40 | Suzie GODART | LUX | 53 |
