Albert claims World Cup victory in Rome

An impressive solo ride from Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus) in Rome, Italy, delivered him his second World Cup win of the season. In the sixth round of the World Cup, the 27-year-old Belgian left his last rivals behind in the third of eight laps.

Albert galloped through strong winds, a sudden heavy rain shower and then faced a late comeback from world champion Sven Nys (Crelan-AA Drink), World Cup leader Lars van der Haar (Rabobank Development Team) and French champion Francis Morey (FDJ.fr). Albert withstood all of it, keeping a small five seconds gap at the finish line in front of the grandstand of the somewhat desolated Capanelle hippodrome.

Van der Haar outsprinted Nys for second place, which sees the young Dutchman strengthen his overall lead in the World Cup as Philipp Walsleben (BKCP-Powerplus), previously second, had an off-day and could only manage an eleventh place finish in Rome. Albert now holds second place, albeit a massive 54 points behind World Cup leader Van der Haar, ahead of the final round in Nommay, France, in three weeks’ time.

“It was a very hard one. The track was very muddy with the rain of last night and today. It was a hard race,” Albert said. In the closing laps, Albert struggled. “On Friday we did a hard training and I was tired. On the last two laps, everything was hurting. Sven [Nys] is not unbeatable. They were coming but I was consolidating my advantage. It was tricky with those small rocks on the course.”

During the first laps of the race, Albert was already dominant. He featured in the lead group that quickly separated itself from the rest of the pack. The group included Albert, his teammate Walsleben, Mourey and Martin Bina (Kwadro-Stannah), with Mourey quickly shifting back on the second lap.

Having Walsleben in front was disastrous for the World Cup leader Van der Haar as he was riding outside the top 10, half a minute down on the leaders. “I was nervous for a muddy race like this one and I started with a Typhoon profile at the back. I didn’t have a good start, didn’t get going and was sliding away everywhere,” Van der Haar told Sporza. Little later he switched bikes to get better grip. “It turned out I had good legs and I started moving up.”

The race turned when Albert put the hammer down early on in the third lap, and soon he was alone in front. He quickly created a gap of fifteen seconds on Bina and Walsleben, who were caught by Mourey. Halfway through the race, Walsleben waved goodbye to his World Cup ambitions as he was dropped, and one lap later, he was overtaken by Van der Haar. The number two in the World Cup continued to lose ground for the remainder of the race. “I started my race optimistically but ended up not being so good. I had a minor crash and setback. I felt like I was the only rider who was sliding away. Hopefully I feel better in Nommay so I can hold on to my third place in the World Cup,” Walsleben said.

With three laps to go Van der Haar caught up with Bina and Mourey, who were only about twenty seconds behind lone leader Albert, with Thijs van Amerongen (AA Drink Cycling Team) and Sven Nys ten seconds further back.

Nys was clearly going well at this stage of the race. He dropped Van Amerongen and overtook fading Bina, and he suddenly caught up with Van der Haar halfway through the penultimate lap. When hitting the final lap, Albert only had 13 seconds in hand on Mourey, and just 17 seconds on Nys and Van der Haar. A rampant Nys soon caught Mourey, and the trio then set their sights on Albert. But the gap was too great even for the world champion, and Albert duly reached the finish line with a handful of seconds to spare over Van der Haar, who outsprinted Nys for second place.

“I tried to come back and that seemed to be working out but the race was one lap too short. Switching bikes was important. In the final laps I was riding around with a pressure of 1.2kg and that was ideal on a course that become more and more slippery. I had a lot of power to set the pace on the long straight sections. I’m satisfied even though I’m not winning,” Nys told Sporza.

Mourey settled for fourth place, well ahead of Bina. Meanwhile, Rob Peeters (Vastgoedservice-Golden Palace) recovered from a poor start to put in a solid ride that earned him a good sixth place, just ahead of Van Amerongen.

Klaas Vantornout (Sunweb-Napoleon Games) is struggling with illness and skipped the race in Rome in favour of a training camp in Calpe, Spain. He drops from third to fifth overall as both Albert and his teammate Kevin Pauwels (Sunweb-Napoleon Games) overtook him on Sunday afternoon. Pauwels had a poor start and suffered a mechanical in the second lap of the race that saw him slip back to thirtieth position, but he gamely fought back to take thirteenth place at the finish line.

Full Results

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Elite men
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Niels Albert (Bel) BKCP - Powerplus1:06:33
2Lars Van Der Haar (Ned) Rabobank Development Team0:00:04
3Sven Nys (Bel) Crelan - AA Drink0:00:05
4Francis Mourey (Fra) Fdj.Fr0:00:11
5Martin Bina (Cze) Kwadro - Stannah0:00:41
6Rob Peeters (Bel) Vastgoedservice - Golden Palace Continental Team0:00:45
7Thijs Van Amerongen (Ned) AA Drink Cycling Team0:00:50
8Tom Meeusen (Bel) Telenet - Fidea0:01:01
9Corne Van Kessel (Ned) Telenet - Fidea0:01:16
10Bart Wellens (Bel) Telenet - Fidea0:01:19
11Philipp Walsleben (Ger) BKCP - Powerplus0:01:32
12Wietse Bosmans (Bel) BKCP - Powerplus0:01:35
13Kevin Pauwels (Bel) Sunweb - Napoleon Games Cycling Team0:01:45
14Bart Aernouts (Bel) AA Drink Cycling Team0:01:53
15Marco Aurelio Fontana (Ita) Cannondale Factory Racing0:02:08
16Sascha Weber (Ger) Veranclassic - Doltcini0:02:14
17Enrico Franzoi (Ita) Selle Italia Guerciotti0:02:18
18Twan Van Den Brand (Ned) Orange Babies Cycling Team0:02:20
19Niels Wubben (Ned) Telenet - FideaRow 18 - Cell 2
20Thijs Al (Ned) Telenet - Fidea0:02:22
21Jim Aernouts (Bel) Sunweb - Napoleon Games Cycling Team0:02:23
22Mirko Tabacchi (Ita) Gruppo Sportivo Forestale0:02:36
23Marcel Wildhaber (Swi) Scott - Odlo MTB Racing Team0:02:49
24Julien Taramarcaz (Swi) Kwadro - Stannah0:03:09
25Martin Haring (Svk) CK Banska Bystrica0:03:16
26Marcel Meisen (Ger) Kwadro - Stannah0:03:21
27Luca Braidot (Ita) Gruppo Sportivo Forestale0:03:28
28Florian Vogel (Swi) Scott - Odlo MTB Racing Team0:03:36
29Simon Zahner (Swi) Ekz Racing Team0:03:37
30Ian Field (GBr) Hargroves Cycles0:03:38
31Patrick Van Leeuwen (Ned) Orange Babies Cycling Team0:03:43
32Kenneth Hansen (Den) Cannondale - Haderslev0:04:02
33Lukas Winterberg (Swi) MG - Cycling Team0:04:24
34Daniel Geismayr (Aut)0:04:26
35Ondrej Bambula (Cze) Cez Cyklo Team Tabor0:04:31
36Micki Van Empel (Ned) Kdl Cycling Team0:04:50
37Andreas Moser (Swi) Zaunteam Mittelland0:04:54
38Elia Silvestri (Ita) Selle Italia Guerciotti0:05:00
39Steve Chainel (Fra) Ag2R La Mondiale0:05:13
40Christian Helmig (Lux)0:05:17
41Bryan Falaschi (Ita) Selle Italia Guerciotti0:05:18
42Fabio Ursi (Ita) Cx Merida Team - Dama Drc0:05:34
43Emil Hekele (Cze) Stevens Bikes - Emilio Sport0:06:29
44Thomas Paccagnella (Ita) Sportivi Del Ponte0:06:33
45Christoph Ambroziak (Ger) Gunsha Racing Team0:06:46
46Mike Garrigan (Can) Van Dessel0:06:54
47Calle Friberg (Swe) Scott Sports0:06:59
-1lapJeremy Durrin (USA) Optum P/B Kelly Benefit StrategiesRow 47 - Cell 2
-2lapsYannick Mayer (Ger) Team Baier LandshutRow 48 - Cell 2
-2lapsRobert Glajza (Svk) CK Banska BystricaRow 49 - Cell 2
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Elite men World Cup standings
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Lars Van Der Haar (Ned) Rabobank Development Team407pts
2Niels Albert (Bel) BKCP - Powerplus353Row 1 - Cell 3
3Philipp Walsleben (Ger) BKCP - Powerplus344Row 2 - Cell 3
4Kevin Pauwels (Bel) Sunweb - Napoleon Games Cycling Team313Row 3 - Cell 3
5Klaas Vantornout (Bel) Sunweb - Napoleon Games Cycling Team279Row 4 - Cell 3
6Francis Mourey (Fra) Fdj.Fr270Row 5 - Cell 3
7Thijs Van Amerongen (Ned) AA Drink Cycling Team267Row 6 - Cell 3
8Sven Nys (Bel) Crelan - AA Drink264Row 7 - Cell 3
9Bart Aernouts (Bel) AA Drink Cycling Team264Row 8 - Cell 3
10Rob Peeters (Bel) Vastgoedservice - Golden Palace248Row 9 - Cell 3
11Martin Bina (Cze) Kwadro - Stannah237Row 10 - Cell 3
12Tom Meeusen (Bel) Telenet - Fidea229Row 11 - Cell 3
13Enrico Franzoi (Ita) Selle Italia Guerciotti218Row 12 - Cell 3
14Corne Van Kessel (Ned) Telenet - Fidea209Row 13 - Cell 3
15Niels Wubben (Ned) Telenet - Fidea199Row 14 - Cell 3
16Thijs Al (Ned) Telenet - Fidea198Row 15 - Cell 3
17Julien Taramarcaz (Swi) Kwadro - Stannah197Row 16 - Cell 3
18Marcel Meisen (Ger) Kwadro - Stannah188Row 17 - Cell 3
19Marcel Wildhaber (Swi) Scott - Odlo MTB Racing Team185Row 18 - Cell 3
20Wietse Bosmans (Bel) BKCP - Powerplus163Row 19 - Cell 3
21Twan Van Den Brand (Ned) Orange Babies Cycling Team161Row 20 - Cell 3
22Martin Haring (Svk) CK Banska Bystrica160Row 21 - Cell 3
23Bart Wellens (Bel) Telenet - Fidea148Row 22 - Cell 3
24Ian Field (GBr) Hargroves Cycles148Row 23 - Cell 3
25Lubomir Petrus (Cze) BKCP - Powerplus142Row 24 - Cell 3
26Patrick Van Leeuwen (Ned) Orange Babies Cycling Team129Row 25 - Cell 3
27Ondrej Bambula (Cze) Cez Cyklo Team Tabor123Row 26 - Cell 3
28Sascha Weber (Ger) Veranclassic - Doltcini120Row 27 - Cell 3
29Simon Zahner (Swi) Ekz Racing Team119Row 28 - Cell 3
30Mariusz Gil (Pol) Kwadro - Stannah118Row 29 - Cell 3
31Jonathan Page (USA) Fuji / Spy Optics108Row 30 - Cell 3
32Fabien Canal (Fra)97Row 31 - Cell 3
33Micki Van Empel (Ned) Kdl Cycling Team95Row 32 - Cell 3
34Kenneth Hansen (Den) Cannondale - Haderslev82Row 33 - Cell 3
35Javier Ruiz De Larrinaga Ibanez (Spa) Lizarte81Row 34 - Cell 3
36Vladimir Kyzivat (Cze) Johnson Controls As Ml. Bol.79Row 35 - Cell 3
37Egoitz Murgoitio Rekalde (Spa) Grupo Hirumet Taldea76Row 36 - Cell 3
38Jim Aernouts (Bel) Sunweb - Napoleon Games Cycling Team70Row 37 - Cell 3
39Marco Ponta (Ita) Centro Sportivo Esercito68Row 38 - Cell 3
40Eddy Van Ijzendoorn (Ned) Team Natubalans - Apex66Row 39 - Cell 3
41Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team65Row 40 - Cell 3
42Robert Gavenda (Svk)63Row 41 - Cell 3
43Arnaud Grand (Swi) Bmc Development Team55Row 42 - Cell 3
44Lukas Winterberg (Swi) MG - Cycling Team52Row 43 - Cell 3
45Aitor Hernandez Gutierrez (Spa) Specialized - Garmar44Row 44 - Cell 3
46Steve Chainel (Fra) Ag2R La Mondiale37Row 45 - Cell 3
47Marco Aurelio Fontana (Ita) Cannondale Factory Racing36Row 46 - Cell 3
48Andreas Moser (Swi) Zaunteam Mittelland36Row 47 - Cell 3
49Arnaud Jouffroy (Fra)35Row 48 - Cell 3
50Yannick Mayer (Ger) Team Baier Landshut34Row 49 - Cell 3
51Radomir Simunek (Cze) Kwadro - Stannah32Row 50 - Cell 3
52Vaclav Metlicka (Svk) Johnson Controls As Ml. Bol.30Row 51 - Cell 3
53Mirko Tabacchi (Ita) Gruppo Sportivo Forestale29Row 52 - Cell 3
54Magnus Darvell (Swe) Team Kalas Merida29Row 53 - Cell 3
55Nicolas Bazin (Fra)25Row 54 - Cell 3
56Ole Quast (Ger) Stevens Racing Team25Row 55 - Cell 3
57Luca Braidot (Ita) Gruppo Sportivo Forestale24Row 56 - Cell 3
58Florian Vogel (Swi) Scott - Odlo MTB Racing Team23Row 57 - Cell 3
59Michal Malik (Cze) Kc Kooperativa Sg Jablonec23Row 58 - Cell 3
60Milan Barenyi (Svk) Trek KCK Oslany22Row 59 - Cell 3
61Christian Helmig (Lux)22Row 60 - Cell 3
62Jordy Luisman (Ned) Team Lemelerveld18Row 61 - Cell 3
63Inigo Gomez Elorriaga (Spa) Bioracer - Caravanos Erandio18Row 62 - Cell 3
64Daniel Geismayr (Aut)17Row 63 - Cell 3
65Joachim Parbo (Den) Cielo - Challenge - Bicyclista17Row 64 - Cell 3
66Christoph Pfingsten (Ger)15Row 65 - Cell 3
67Emil Hekele (Cze) Stevens Bikes - Emilio Sport15Row 66 - Cell 3
68Christoph Ambroziak (Ger) Gunsha Racing Team15Row 67 - Cell 3
69Michael (Jr) Schweizer (Ger) Stevens Racing Team14Row 68 - Cell 3
70Ludovic Renard (Fra) Vs Chartrain14Row 69 - Cell 3
71Marco Bianco (Ita) Carraro Team Trentino14Row 70 - Cell 3
72Elia Silvestri (Ita) Selle Italia Guerciotti13Row 71 - Cell 3
73Agustin Navarro Vidal (Spa) Ciudad De Oviedo - Nesta11Row 72 - Cell 3
74Aaron Schooler (Can) H&R BloCK11Row 73 - Cell 3
75Bryan Falaschi (Ita) Selle Italia Guerciotti10Row 74 - Cell 3
76Jeremy Durrin (USA) Optum P/B Kelly Benefit Strategies10Row 75 - Cell 3
77Jon Gomez Elorriaga (Spa) Bioracer - Caravanos Erandio10Row 76 - Cell 3
78Angus Edmond (NZl) Stevens - Malteni10Row 77 - Cell 3
79Fabio Ursi (Ita) Cx Merida Team - Dama Drc9Row 78 - Cell 3
80Guillaume Perrot (Fra) Ec St Etienne - Loire9Row 79 - Cell 3
81Yu Takenouchi (Jpn) Veranclassic - Doltcini8Row 80 - Cell 3
82Thomas Paccagnella (Ita) Sportivi Del Ponte7Row 81 - Cell 3
83Jan Nesvadba (Cze) Madeta Fitness / Specialized7Row 82 - Cell 3
84Filip Adel (Cze) Kc Hlinsko6Row 83 - Cell 3
85Mike Garrigan (Can) Van Dessel5Row 84 - Cell 3
86Zach Mcdonald (USA) Rapha - Focus5Row 85 - Cell 3
87Johannes Sickmueller (Ger) Stevens Racing Team5Row 86 - Cell 3
88Calle Friberg (Swe) Scott Sports4Row 87 - Cell 3
89Max Walsleben (Ger)4Row 88 - Cell 3
90Fredrik Edin (Swe) Cykloteket Racing Team4Row 89 - Cell 3
91Lukas Batora (Svk) CK Banska Bystrica2Row 90 - Cell 3
92Robert Glajza (Svk) CK Banska Bystrica2Row 91 - Cell 3
93Luc Lutsen (Fra) VC Toucy1Row 92 - Cell 3
94Michel Vuelta Izquierdo (Spa) Nestor Martin1Row 93 - Cell 3

 

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