Boom, van Poppel defend titles in Netherlands

The Dutch cyclo-cross championships were highly successful for Team Rabobank as it took both the men's elite and U23 titles. Lars Boom won the men's elite title for the third time in a row, and Boy van Poppel took the U23 title, which Boom had also won three times.

Boom's participation was questionable for a while, as he had to be hospitalised briefly last weekend after injuring his elbow. However, he immediately got into the lead group, and rode away from it in the second lap for a solo win. His next goal is now the World Championships in three weeks, where he will also look to defend his title.

Van Poppel, who turns 21 later this month, also defended his U23 title. He himself was surprised by the win since he was recovering from an intestinal influenza and had barely slept the last two nights. His Rabobank teammate Ramon Sinkeldam finished third, to give the team a total of three medals on the weekend.(SW)