The beginning of a new era? After 15 years of Sanne Cant, Marion Norbert-Riberolle has claimed the Belgian cyclo-cross title. The 26-year-old naturalized Frenchwoman missed her start, but did not panic and convincingly soloed to the tricolor in Zolder. The troubled Laura Verdonschot surprised with silver, the bronze went to Julie Brouwers.
Was it the pressure of being an outspoken favorite that made her nervous? Marion Norbert-Riberolle was immediately pushed into the pursuit of what was to be her Belgian Championship, after 15 years of Sanne Cant.
Riberolle was pushed back from the front row and to make matters worse, he almost went down. After an early passage through the material station, the woman to beat started her catch-up race from 15th place.
A big lap later, Riberolle was back at the front. On and on: in the tougher end of the second round she added another layer and she was off.
The lonely leader immediately collected a nice bonus. Despite a scare at the start, nothing could be done about Marion Norbert-Riberolle’s dominance.
Half a minute behind her, the battle for silver was still very exciting. Laura Verdonschot, who suffered from a pelvic artery stenosis, was only able to fully play off her dominance over Julie Brouwers in the final round.
Good for a second silver medal at the Belgian Championships in a row for Verdonschot. The new name on the honors list is that of Marion Norbert-Riberolle. Have we left again for a series of many years?
Among the promises, the Belgian title in Zolder went to Sterre Vervloet, among the elite without a contract, veteran Joyce Vanderbeken scored again.
