Kerstperiode Begins with Cant, Pauwels, Compton, and Mourey Taking Wins

It is that magical time of year when we celebrate Christmas and cyclocross, known in Belgium as Kerstperiode. Between December 21st, and January 5th, racers will have a chance to race three World Cups, three Bpost Bank Trofee races, and a Superprestige. There are no other times on the calendar that have that many high profile races in such a short period of time. And in case that is not enough, there are a few other races in Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, France, Holland, and England during that time period too. If you are watching from home, you’ll be treated to more Americans than normal, with many making the most out of a trip leading up to the World Championships in February. The Euro Cross Camp, run by Geoff Proctor, is also in full swing, hosting 16 juniors, U23’s, and women.

Here’s the schedule:

12/21/13 – Bpost Bank Trofee Essen
12/22/13 – World Cup Namur
12/26/13 – World Cup Zolder
12/27/13 – Bpost Bank Trofee – Azencross
12/29/13 – Superprestige Diegem
1/1/14 – Bpost Bank Trofee – G.P. Sven Nys
1/5/14 – World Cup Rome

Bpost Bank Trofee Essen

On Saturday, Sanne Cant (Enertherm-BKCP), was able to hold off Helen Wyman (Kona) and Nikki Harris (Young Telenet-Fidea) in muddy and cold conditions in Essen. The trio were able to open up a lead, and keep the chasers at bay. Behind them, Ellen Van Loy (DNCS) and Githa Michiels (Toka Print) rolled through almost a minute and a half later.

In the men’s race, it was Kevin Pauwels (Sunweb-Napoleon Games) who surprised the field and took the solo win ahead of Sven Nys (Crelan-KDL) and Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus). Nys took an early lead, but a miscue while hopping the barriers saw the world champion crash into fences and the chase group leave him behind. Pauwels went on the attack, and was able to open up a ten second lead by the end of the lap. Zdenek Stybar (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) was the next closest rider, with a large group of chasers at 16 seconds back, and Nys at 24 seconds. Pauwels continued to grow his lead, but Nys was not about to give up, despite a sore wrist.

Heading into the final lap, Tom Meeusen (Telenet-Fidea) crashed and lost his chance at a podium spot. Thijs van Amerongen (AA Drink) and Jim Aernouts (Subweb-Napoleon Games) moved up to the remaining podium spots, but there was still a lap left. Nys, Albert and Rob Peeters (Telenet-Fidea) were just behind, and ready to catch the duo. With a final push, Nys was able to bridge up, and took the second spot on the podium. Albert followed the move, but finished six seconds later.

Bpost Bank Trofee Essen Women’s Results

1. Sanne Cant (Bel) Enertherm-BKCP 0:40:28
2. Helen Wyman (GBr) Kona Factory Racing
3. Nikki Harris (GBr) Young Telenet-Fidea Cycling Team
4. Ellen Van Loy (Bel) DNCS-Pro 2012 Cycling Team 0:01:26
5. Githa Michiels (Bel) Toka Print MTB Team
6. Sabrina Stultiens (Ned) Rabobank Liv/Giant 0:02:04
7. Gabriella Durrin (GBr) Rapha-Focus 0:02:23
8. Sophie de Boer (Ned) Young Telenet-Fidea Cycling Team 0:02:41
9. Maureen Bruno Roy (USA) Bob’s Red Mill p/b Seven Cycles 0:02:44
10. Karen Verhestraeten (Bel) Up Cycling Team 0:03:21

Bpost Bank Trofee Essen Men’s Results

1. Kevin Pauwels (Bel) Sunweb-Napoleon Games Cycling Team 1:01:48
2. Sven Nys (Bel) Crelan KDL Cycling Team 0:00:28
3. Niels Albert (Bel) BKCP-Powerplus Cycling Team 0:00:34
4. Jim Aernouts (Bel) Sunweb-Napoleon Games Cycling Team 0:00:36
5. Thijs van Amerongen (Ned) AA Drink Cycling Team 0:00:38
6. Rob Peeters (Bel) Telenet-Fidea Cycling Team 0:00:41
7. Bart Aernouts (Bel) AA Drink Cycling Team 0:00:47
8. Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Omega Pharma-QuickStep 0:00:54
9. Klaas Vantornout (Bel) Sunweb-Napoleon Games Cycling Team 0:01:04
10. Philipp Walsleben (Ger) BKCP-Powerplus 0:01:10

World Cup Namur

Katie Compton (Trek Cyclocross Collective) and Marianne Vos (Rabobank) lined up for their first battle since Vos took a break from racing to have minor back surgery. In her first test, the world champion looked strong and took to the front opening up an early lead. After missing a pedal at the start, Compton was able to pull Vos back by mid race. The US champ was able to keep a strong and steady pace, and finished 40 seconds ahead of Vos.

Francis Mourey (FDJ) led the way early in the men’s race. After crashing hard the previous day, Nys continued with bad luck with a flat tire at the start. Forced to fight his way though traffic after he swapped bikes, he continued to lose ground to the leaders. Julien Taramarcaz (BMC) and Philipp Walsleben (BKCP-Powerplus) made a move off the front, but were brought back half way through the race by a chase group that contained the eventual podium. Mourey moved back to the front, and by the end of the fifth lap, was able to ride off on his own.

With just a scant 15 second lead, Mourey continued to push the pace on a treacherous course.  Nys, who had made contact with the chasing group, continued to push the pace in hopes of catching the leader on the final lap. He pushed a little too hard though, and a crash on an off camber section gave Mourey the gap he needed to secure the win. As Mourey crossed the line, he had to wait less than 30 seconds to see who would be joining him on the podium. Klaas Vantornout (Sunweb-Napoleon Games) and Albert were able to take advantage of Nys’ mistake, and claimed the last two spots on the podium, just ahead of the world champion.

World Cup Namur Women’s Results

1. Katherine Compton (USA) Trek Cyclocross Collective 0:36:47
2. Marianne Vos (Ned) Rabo Women Cycling Team 0:00:40
3. Nikki Harris (GBr) Young Telenet – Fidea 0:00:46
4. Eva Lechner (Ita) Team Colnago Sudtirol 0:01:20
5. Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Fra) Rabo Women Cycling Team 0:01:23
6. Sanne Cant (Bel) Enertherm – Bkcp 0:01:34
7. Kaitlin Antonneau (USA) Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.Com 0:01:47
8. Ellen Van Loy (Bel) DNCS / Pro 2012 Cycling Team 0:02:07
9. Lucie Chainel-Lefevre (Fra) BH – SR Suntour – KMC 0:02:43
10. Helen Wyman (GBr) Kona 0:02:45

World Cup Namur Men’s Results

1. Francis Mourey (Fra) FDJ.fr 1:00:49
2. Klaas Vantornout (Bel) Sunweb-Napoleon Games Cycling Team 0:00:24
3. Niels Albert (Bel) BKCP-Powerplus Cycling Team 0:00:30
4. Sven Nys (Bel) Crelan KDL Cycling Team 0:00:35
5. Lars van der Haar (Ned) Rabobank Development Team 0:00:36
6. Tom Meeusen (Bel) Telenet-Fidea Cycling Team 0:00:41
7. Thijs van Amerongen (Ned) AA Drink Cycling Team 0:00:52
8. Lubomir Petrus (Cze) BKCP-Powerplus Cycling Team 0:00:54
9. Philipp Walsleben (Ger) BKCP-Powerplus
10. Julien Taramarcaz (Swi) BMC Mountainbike Racing Team 0:00:59