Vos shows her form with a solo victory in Hoogerheide World Cup

Marianne Vos (VM3) showed she is ready for next weekend’s World Cyclo-cross Championships with a dominant victory at the final World Cup race in Hoogerheide.

Vos finished solo, ahead of compatriots Lucinda Brand (Sunweb) and young Annemarie Worst (Mijn Bad Liv-Giant). Sophie de Boer (Breepark) finished seventh but had already secured overall World Cup victory last week in Fiuggi, Italy.

On a fast, frozen course, Vos easily distanced her rival halfway round the penultimate lap. After her third consecutive World Cup victory she is now the clear favourite for the world title in Bieles, Luxembourg, next week.

“Well yeah, I already felt good the last weeks but it’s good to have such a race and final preparation”, Vos told Sporza in the post-race flash interview.

She did point out that her eighth world title wasn’t in the pocket yet. “It’s not yet so far. I have this World Cup victory but of course I’m already focused on next week as well.”

Numerous crashes

The win for Vos came after a tumultuous race in which numerous top riders crashed at the front of the race. The first rider to tumble was world champion Thalita de Jong (Lares-Waowdeals). She was leading a long line of riders during the opening lap and after a difficult 180-degree corner De Jong gapped Eva Lechner (Clif Pro Team) and the rest of the field. However a few moments later, the world champion slipped out and crashed hard on a seemingly easy descent. De Jong crashed on her left flank and hurt her knee. After much of the field passed her, she limped away with her bike. De Jong briefly tried to ride but quickly abandoned the race.

Up front Vos tested her rivals a first time during the second of six laps. She opened up a gap on Katerina Nash (Clif Pro Team), Sanne Cant (IKO Enertherm-Beobank) and Lucinda Brand. At the end of the second lap Nash trailed Vos, with Cant and Brand a few seconds further back. Pan-American champion Katherine Compton and Eva Lechner were trailing Vos by fifteen seconds. A few moments later, Vos switched bikes after discovering a problem with her handlebars. Other bike switches followed during the third lap and when the riders started the fourth lap there were a dozen of riders back in contention for the victory.

After the crash from De Jong in the opening lap, more riders crashed on the ice and sandy tracks. First Compton crashed and was slow to get going again; then Chiara Teocchi (Bianchi-Countervail), Lise-Marie Henzelin (Switzerland), Nikki Brammeier (Boels Dolmans), teammates Eva Lechner and Katerina Nash went down and became tangled. At the end of this tumultuous lap, there were six leaders remaining upfront, including Vos, Cant, Brand, Worst, De Boer and Laura Verdonschot (Marlux-Napoleon Games).

A few moments later, on reaching a technical section in the forest, Vos surged to the front for the second time. On an uphill section she opened up a gap on Brand and the rest of the group. When reaching the long stairs that included a painful 44 concrete steps, Vos was at the top when the rest had only arrived at the bottom.

By the end of the lap, Vos had a lead of 18 seconds on the five chasers. During the final lap Vos made no mistakes and easily held on to win alone.

“I attacked at one lap and a half from the end. That’s ten minutes of racing and that should work out. I felt good and straight away I had a gap, but anything can happen, slipping away, so it was better to have a bonus”, Vos said.

An all Dutch podium

On the podium Vos was flanked by two compatriots: Brand and Worst, giving the Dutch crowd plenty to cheer about.

“We’re in a good position. Too bad home rider Thalita de Jong literally crashed away”, Vos added.

Brand opened up a gap on the other chasers in the final lap while De Boer and Verdonschot were quickly dropped. Cant was unable to get back to Brand and shortly before the finish; she was also unable to keep up with Worst. It was both riders first ever World Cup podium.

Cant finished fourth, well ahead of Verdonschot. That gave her just enough points to overtake Katerina Nash and move into second place in the overall World Cup standings. Nash finished third in the sprint for sixth place that was won by British rider Evie Richards. Helen Wyman (Kona) made her comeback in the World Cup after a hard crash at the European championships, finishing twentieth.

Overall victory in the 2016-2017 Telenet UCI World Cup went to Sophie de Boer despite a poor performance today. She had already secured the victory in Fiuggi, Italy, last week.

Last year, De Boer won in Hoogerheide on a muddy course. This year she never took the initiative on the fast course, finishing just behind Richards.

Ellen Noble finished 39th in Hoogerheide, despite a good star but she was the best under 23 rider of the 2016-2017 World Cup.

The 2017 UCI Cyclo-cross World championships will be held in Bieles, Luxembourg next week, with Vos now the huge favourite for yet another world title.

Full Results

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#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Marianne Vos (Ned) WM3 Pro Cycling Team0:42:48
2Lucinda Brand (Ned) Team Sunweb0:00:13
3Annemarie Worst (Ned)0:00:15
4Sanne Cant (Bel) Iko Enertherm-Beobank0:00:17
5Laura Verdonschot (Bel) Marlux-Napoleon Games0:00:21
6Evie Richards (GBr)0:00:22
7Katerina Nash (Cze) Clif Pro TeamRow 6 - Cell 2
8Sophie De Boer (Ned) Kalas-NnofRow 7 - Cell 2
9Maud Kaptheijns (Ned) Team Steylaerts0:00:32
10Christine Majerus (Lux) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam0:00:35
11Nikki Brammeier (GBr) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam0:00:36
12Helene Clauzel (Fra)0:00:41
13Ellen Van Loy (Bel) Telenet Fidea Lions0:01:02
14Eva Lechner (Ita) Clif Pro Team0:01:05
15Kaitlin Antonneau (USA) Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.Com0:01:14
16Lise-Marie Henzelin (Swi)0:01:23
17Katherine Compton (USA) KFC Racing p/b Trek/Panache0:01:28
18Maghalie Rochette (Can)0:01:31
19Amanda Miller (USA) Boulder Cycle Sport/Yogaglo0:01:36
20Helen Wyman (GBr) Kona Factory Team0:01:46
21Jolien Verschueren (Bel) Telenet Fidea Lions0:01:47
22Evita Muzic (Fra)0:01:50
23Manon Bakker (Ned)0:01:55
24Rebecca Fahringer (USA) Amy D FoundationRow 23 - Cell 2
25Lucia Gonzalez Blanco (Spa) Lointek0:01:56
26Alicia Franck (Bel)0:01:59
27Chiara Teocchi (Ita)0:02:00
28Karen Verhestraeten (Bel)0:02:01
29Loes Sels (Bel) Telenet Fidea Lions0:02:07
30Mical Dyck (Can) Naked Factory Racing0:02:09
31Caroline Mani (Fra) Raleigh ClementRow 30 - Cell 2
32Pauline Delhaye (Fra)0:02:10
33Marlene Petit (Fra)0:02:11
34Aida Nuno Palacio (Spa)0:02:13
35Alicia Gonzalez Blanco (Spa) Lointek0:02:20
36Jade Wiel (Fra)0:02:23
37Courtenay Mcfadden (USA) American Classic/Zones0:02:32
38Lucie Chainel (Fra)0:02:44
39Ellen Noble (USA) Aspire Racing0:02:54
40Hannah Payton (GBr) Drops0:02:56
41Ffion James (GBr)0:02:57
42Kiyoka Sakaguchi (Jpn)0:02:58
43Pavla Havlikova (Cze)0:03:02
44Amira Mellor (GBr) Next Wyman/Kona0:03:19
45Ruby West (Can) Cannondale Cyclocrossworld.Com0:03:23
46Stefanie Paul (Ger)Row 45 - Cell 2
47Maina Galand (Fra)0:03:24
48Alba Teruel Ribes (Spa) Lointek0:03:32
49Cindy Montambault (Can) Trek Gpl0:03:37
50Tereza Medvedova (Svk) Bepink Cogeas0:03:43
51Miho Imai (Jpn)Row 50 - Cell 2
52Martina Kukulova (Cze)0:03:53
53Nadja Heigl (Aut)0:04:15
54Magdalena Sadlecka (Pol)0:04:20
55Larissa Luttuschka (Ger)0:04:38
56Jessica Lambracht (Ger)0:04:44
57Naomi Williams (Aus)0:04:49
58Tereza Vanickova (Cze)0:05:04
59Nathalie Lamborelle (Lux)0:05:17
60Patrycja Swierczynska (Pol)Row 59 - Cell 2
61Waka Takeda (Jpn)0:05:19
62Joyce Vanderbeken (Bel)0:05:56
63Lena Bischoff-Stein (Ger)0:06:25
64Rebecca Locke (Aus)0:06:26
65Edie Antonia Rees (Lux)0:06:46
66Nikola Bajgerova (Cze)0:07:05
67Suzie Godart (Lux)Row 66 - Cell 2
68Agnieszka Szpocinska (Pol)Row 67 - Cell 2
69Stacey Riedel (Aus)Row 68 - Cell 2
70Mara Schwager (Ger)Row 69 - Cell 2
71Olivia Nendick (Aus)Row 70 - Cell 2
DNFCeylin Del Carmen Alvarado (Ned)Row 71 - Cell 2
DNFThalita De Jong (Ned) Lares - Waowdeals Women Cycling TeamRow 72 - Cell 2
DNSNikola Noskova (Cze)Row 73 - Cell 2
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World Cup final standings
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Sophie De Boer (Ned) Kalas-Nnof484pts
2Sanne Cant (Bel) Iko Enertherm-Beobank395Row 1 - Cell 3
3Katerina Nash (Cze) Clif Pro Team393Row 2 - Cell 3
4Ellen Van Loy (Bel) Telenet Fidea Lions353Row 3 - Cell 3
5Eva Lechner (Ita) Clif Pro Team298Row 4 - Cell 3
6Ellen Noble (USA) Aspire Racing282Row 5 - Cell 3
7Amanda Miller (USA) Boulder Cycle Sport/Yogaglo279Row 6 - Cell 3
8Caroline Mani (Fra) Raleigh Clement270Row 7 - Cell 3
9Katherine Compton (USA) Kfc Racing P/B Trek/Panache249Row 8 - Cell 3
10Laura Verdonschot (Bel) Marlux-Napoleon Games246Row 9 - Cell 3
11Maud Kaptheijns (Ned) Team Steylaerts246Row 10 - Cell 3
12Marianne Vos (Ned) Wm3 Pro Cycling Team240Row 11 - Cell 3
13Lucinda Brand (Ned) Team Sunweb234Row 12 - Cell 3
14Kaitlin Antonneau (USA) Cannondale Pb Cyclocrossworld.Com218Row 13 - Cell 3
15Loes Sels (Bel) Telenet Fidea Lions218Row 14 - Cell 3
16Alice Maria Arzuffi (Ita) Lensworld - Kuota208Row 15 - Cell 3
17Christine Majerus (Lux) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam208Row 16 - Cell 3
18Joyce Vanderbeken (Bel)198Row 17 - Cell 3
19Rebecca Fahringer (USA) Amy D Foundation184Row 18 - Cell 3
20Chiara Teocchi (Ita)171Row 19 - Cell 3
21Nikki Brammeier (GBr) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam169Row 20 - Cell 3
22Annemarie Worst (Ned)164Row 21 - Cell 3
23Pavla Havlikova (Cze)160Row 22 - Cell 3
24Manon Bakker (Ned)154Row 23 - Cell 3
25Helene Clauzel (Fra)150Row 24 - Cell 3
26Jolien Verschueren (Bel) Telenet Fidea Lions147Row 25 - Cell 3
27Karen Verhestraeten (Bel)140Row 26 - Cell 3
28Emma White (USA) Rally Cycling137Row 27 - Cell 3
29Thalita De Jong (Ned) Lares - Waowdeals Women Cycling Team135Row 28 - Cell 3
30Courtenay Mcfadden (USA) American Classic/Zones135Row 29 - Cell 3
31Nadja Heigl (Aut)132Row 30 - Cell 3
32Nikola Noskova (Cze)131Row 31 - Cell 3
33Elle Anderson (USA) Elle Anderson Racing130Row 32 - Cell 3
34Evie Richards (GBr)127Row 33 - Cell 3
35Alicia Franck (Bel)118Row 34 - Cell 3
36Aida Nuno Palacio (Spa)118Row 35 - Cell 3
37Helen Wyman (GBr) Kona Factory Team117Row 36 - Cell 3
38Inge Van Der Heijden (Ned)117Row 37 - Cell 3
39Evita Muzic (Fra)108Row 38 - Cell 3
40Marlene Petit (Fra)105Row 39 - Cell 3
41Catharine Pendrel (Can) Clif Pro Team98Row 40 - Cell 3
42Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado (Ned)96Row 41 - Cell 3
43Lucia Gonzalez Blanco (Spa) Lointek93Row 42 - Cell 3
44Lise-Marie Henzelin (Swi)90Row 43 - Cell 3
45Amanda Nauman (USA) Sdg - Muscle Monster90Row 44 - Cell 3
46Sunny Gilbert (USA) Van Dessel84Row 45 - Cell 3
47Mical Dyck (Can) Naked Factory Racing80Row 46 - Cell 3
48Lucie Chainel (Fra)80Row 47 - Cell 3
49Jade Wiel (Fra)66Row 48 - Cell 3
50Pauline Delhaye (Fra)63Row 49 - Cell 3
51Alicia Gonzalez Blanco (Spa) Lointek61Row 50 - Cell 3
52Ffion James (GBr)60Row 51 - Cell 3
53Kathryn Cumming (USA)58Row 52 - Cell 3
54Sara Casasola (Ita)57Row 53 - Cell 3
55Sofia Gomez Villafane (Arg) Tenspeed Hero57Row 54 - Cell 3
56Crystal Anthony (USA) Maxxis-Shimano Pro Cyclocross55Row 55 - Cell 3
57Amira Mellor (GBr) Next Wyman/Kona54Row 56 - Cell 3
58Arley Kemmerer (USA) Fearless Femme Racing53Row 57 - Cell 3
59Jena Greaser (USA)50Row 58 - Cell 3
60Jessica Lambracht (Ger)48Row 59 - Cell 3
61Åsa-Maria Erlandsson (Swe)48Row 60 - Cell 3
62Yara Kastelijn (Ned) Wm3 Pro Cycling Team47Row 61 - Cell 3
63Cindy Montambault (Can) Trek Gpl47Row 62 - Cell 3
64Sidney Mcgill (Can) Focus Cx Team Canada45Row 63 - Cell 3
65Caitlyn Vestal (USA) Feedback Sports Racing43Row 64 - Cell 3
66Cassandra Maximenko (USA) Van Dessel/Atom Composites/Ism40Row 65 - Cell 3
67Ashley Barson (Can) Focus Cx Team Canada40Row 66 - Cell 3
68Maelle Grossetete (Fra)39Row 67 - Cell 3
69Bianca Van Den Hoek (Ned)38Row 68 - Cell 3
70Francesca Baroni (Ita)37Row 69 - Cell 3
71Perrine Clauzel (Fra)36Row 70 - Cell 3
72Maria Larkin (Irl) Chicago Cuttin Crew35Row 71 - Cell 3
73Jana Czeczinkarová (Cze)34Row 72 - Cell 3
74Siobhan Kelly (Can) To Wheels Epic Sports34Row 73 - Cell 3
75Maghalie Rochette (Can)33Row 74 - Cell 3
76Nicole Koller (Swi)33Row 75 - Cell 3
77Jessica Cutler (USA)31Row 76 - Cell 3
78Lisa Heckmann (Ger)31Row 77 - Cell 3
79Martina Mikulaskova (Cze)29Row 78 - Cell 3
80Sandra Walter (Can)28Row 79 - Cell 3
81Kim Van De Steene (Bel)26Row 80 - Cell 3
82Emily Kachorek (USA) Squid25Row 81 - Cell 3
83Ruby West (Can) Cannondale Cyclocrossworld.Com25Row 82 - Cell 3
84Juliette Labous (Fra) Team Sunweb24Row 83 - Cell 3
85Hannah Payton (GBr) Drops24Row 84 - Cell 3
86Alessia Bulleri (Ita) Aromitalia Vaiano23Row 85 - Cell 3
87Anais Grimault (Fra)23Row 86 - Cell 3
88Stefanie Paul (Ger)21Row 87 - Cell 3
89Maina Galand (Fra)21Row 88 - Cell 3
90Nikola Bajgerova (Cze)20Row 89 - Cell 3
91Martina Kukulova (Cze)20Row 90 - Cell 3
92Anaïs Morichon (Fra)19Row 91 - Cell 3
93Melinda Mccutcheon (USA) Visit Dallas Dna Pro Cycling18Row 92 - Cell 3
94Tereza Medvedova (Svk) Bepink Cogeas18Row 93 - Cell 3
95Geerte Hoeke (Ned)17Row 94 - Cell 3
96Audrey Menut (Fra)16Row 95 - Cell 3
97Fanny Stumpf (Fra)16Row 96 - Cell 3
98Gesa Bruchmann (Ger)15Row 97 - Cell 3
99Nicole Fede (Ita)14Row 98 - Cell 3
100Ida Jansson (Swe)13Row 99 - Cell 3
101Suzie Godart (Lux)11Row 100 - Cell 3
102Silvia Persico (Ita) Valcar Pbm10Row 101 - Cell 3
103Kiyoka Sakaguchi (Jpn)9Row 102 - Cell 3
104Olatz Odriozola Mujika (Spa)9Row 103 - Cell 3
105Luisa Beck (Ger)9Row 104 - Cell 3
106Lara Krähemann (Swi)8Row 105 - Cell 3
107Christine Vardaros (USA)8Row 106 - Cell 3
108Emily Wadsworth (GBr)8Row 107 - Cell 3
109Lindy Van Anrooij (Ned)7Row 108 - Cell 3
110Tatiana Jaseková (Svk)7Row 109 - Cell 3
111Luisa Ibarrola Albizua (Spa)6Row 110 - Cell 3
112Cyriane Muller (Fra)6Row 111 - Cell 3
113Carolin Schiff (Ger)6Row 112 - Cell 3
114Irene Trabazo Bragado (Spa)5Row 113 - Cell 3
115Elena Valentini (Ita)4Row 114 - Cell 3
116Naomi Williams (Aus)4Row 115 - Cell 3
117Tina Zueger (Swi)3Row 116 - Cell 3
118Alba Teruel Ribes (Spa) Lointek3Row 117 - Cell 3
119Lena Bischoff-Stein (Ger)3Row 118 - Cell 3
120Patrycja Lorkowska (Pol)3Row 119 - Cell 3
121Saga Molin (Ecu)3Row 120 - Cell 3
122Nathalie Lamborelle (Lux)2Row 121 - Cell 3
123Denisa Minarikova-Svecova (Cze)2Row 122 - Cell 3
124Fabienne Schaus (Lux)2Row 123 - Cell 3
125Benita Wesselhoeft (Ger)2Row 124 - Cell 3

 

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