Nys extends GvA lead

Belgian champion Sven Nys extended his lead in the Gazet van Antwerpen Trophy series by claiming the fourth round in Essen, near Antwerp in freezing temperatures. Nys took the win ahead of Zdenek Stybar (Fidea) with a last lap attack that detached his breakaway companion.

Nys took his first victory in Essen ten years ago, and has now won there five times (1998, 2002 and 2006-2008). "I started focusing on this race when I started focusing on the GvA-trophy, as this is a key race ahead of the busy Christmas weeks ahead," Nys said to Sporza. "It's important to perform well here in order to enter those weeks without too much stress. That's also why I decided to attack in the second lap, so I could grab some points at the intermediate bonus sprint."

Nys now leads the series by 20 points ahead of Bart Wellens, who crashed during the second lap and struggled in for sixth place. Rabobank's Bart Aernouts is third while Lars Boom and Kevin Pauwels are tied for fourth.

Also see the full results, report and photos.