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
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
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
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
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 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
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.
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
