A Dutch quadruplet and a suspenseful finale: cyclo-cross de Koksijde (Belgium), counting for the sixth round of the X20 Trophy, kept all its promises this Friday, January 3, despite Mathieu van der Poel’s new withdrawal due to rib pain.
Among the women, the Dutch runners monopolized the first four places in the race. Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) narrowly won ahead of general classification leader Lucinda Brand (Baloise Glowi Lions), triple stage winner since the start of the season Fem Van Empel (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Inge Van der Heijden (Crelan – Corendon). This result also allows Brand to consolidate its leadership position in the general classification with almost 10 minutes ahead of van Empel. The first Frenchwoman, Perrine Clauzel (Sebmotobikes CX Teams), ranked 15th in front of her teammate Electa Gallezot (Sebmotobikes CX Teams).
Sweeck in experience, Aerts scratches on Iserbyt in the general
Among the men, the Belgian Laurens Sweeck (Crelan – Corendon) used his experience to get ahead of the young 21-year-old Dutch rider Tibor Del Grosso (Alpecin – Deceuninck) on the last lap. “After being around victory here, I am really very happy to win for the first time in this event”indicated the winner of the day after the race at the organization’s microphone.
The 31-year-old Belgian thus pocketed his fifth success of the season, the second in the space of a few days, after winning the Superprestige in Diegem (Belgium), Monday December 30.
By completing the podium, his compatriot Toon Aerts (Deschacht – Hens – FSP) regained almost a minute on the leader of the general classification, Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen – Cibel Clementines), who is now 2′ 48” behind .
-The next round of the X20 Trophy will take place on February 9 in Lille, in the province of Antwerp, before the final race of the competition scheduled for Brussels the following week.
The results of the Koksijde Grand Prix
Elite Women: 1. Puck Pieterse (PB / Fenix - Deuceuninck), in 46′ 42” ; 2. Lucinda Brand (PB / Baloise Glowi Lions), at 19” ; 3. Fem Van Empel (PB / Visma-Lease a Bike), à 39” ; 4. Inge Van der Heijden (PB / Crelan – Corendon), at 53” ; 5. Sanne Cant (Bel / Crelan – Corendon), at 1′ 43” […] 15. Perrine Clauzel (Fra / Sebmotobikes CX Team)at 6′ 54”.
Elite Men: 1. Laurens Sweeck (Bel / Crelan – Corendon), and 1 h 02′ 11” ; 2. Tibor del Grosso (PB / Alpecin – Deceuninck), à 26” ; 3. Toon Aerts (Bel / Deschacht – Hens – FSP), à 52” ; Pim Ronhaar (PB / Baloise Glowi Lions), 1′ 06” […] 21. Martin Groslambert (From / Van Rysel CX Racing Team)at 6′ 41”.
