UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships 2012

Junior Podium (L to R) Wout Van Aert (Belgium) 2nd, Mathieu Van Der Poel

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

Quentin Hermans (France) claims the bronze medal in a sprint finish

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

Wout Van Aert (Belgium) takes the silver medal

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

Piotr Konwa (Poland) coming through the start/finish with one lap to go

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

Americans running together on a sandy climb

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

Toki Sawada (Japan) was having a very good outing

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

Owen Logan (USA) goes over the handlebars but had a soft landing

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

Koksijde treated the riders to the most sand they had seen all year

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

Gioele Bertolini (Italy) trying to prevent a crash

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

Riders constantly struggled with the deep sand

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

Swiss fans were holding nothing back today

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

The presenters with their flowers and medals

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

Silvio Herklotz (Germany) racing to a top ten finish

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

Mathieu Van Der Poel (Netherlands) on the highest point of the course

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

Spanish team-mates working together

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

Mathieu Van Der Poel (Netherlands) chasing on lap three

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

Mathieu Van Der Poel (Netherlands) found himself chasing from the green

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

The Junior start saw Belgium go to the front

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

Andrew Dillman (USA)

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

Mathieu Van Der Poel (Netherlands) was cool as a cucumber at the start

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

The Belgians leading early in the race

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

Romain Seigle (France) riding one of the many short descents

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

Wout Van Aert (Belgium) gave up the lead to Van Der Poel mid-race

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

Quentin Jauregui (France) running one of the many sandy climbs

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

Andrew Dillman (USA) on his way to 14th place

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

Richard Gory (USA) running in the sand

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine

Mathieu van der Poel leads early in the race

Photo credit © Roberto Bettini

Mathieu van der Poel can't believe he's won

Photo credit © Roberto Bettini

He had to come from behind to win but Mathieu van der Poel won with a

Photo credit © Roberto Bettini

He had to come from behind to win but Mathieu van der Poel won with a

Photo credit © Roberto Bettini

Mathieu van der Poel follows in his father's footsteps

Photo credit © Roberto Bettini

Mathieu van der Poel follows in his father's footsteps

Photo credit © Roberto Bettini

Mathieu van der Poel

Photo credit © Roberto Bettini

Mathieu van der Poel

Photo credit © Roberto Bettini

Mathieu van der Poel on his way to the win

Photo credit © Riccardo Scanferla

Wout van Aert (Belgium) finished second

Photo credit © Riccardo Scanferla

Mathieu van der Poel on his way to the rainbow jersey

Photo credit © Luc Claessen

Mathieu van der Poel looks back

Photo credit © Luc Claessen

Wout van Aert (Belgium) takes the silver

Photo credit © Luc Claessen

Mathieu van der Poel on the top step of the podium

Photo credit © Luc Claessen

Mathieu van der Poel with his gold medal

Photo credit © Luc Claessen