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Niels Albert (BKCP Powerplus) wins in Maldegem
(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)
Zdenek Stybar returned to racing after winning worlds
(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)
The podium in Maldegem: Kevin Pauwels, Niels Albert and Bart Wellens
(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)
A small field took the start in the Parkcross Maldegem
(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)
Zdenek Stybar could finish only 7th after celebrating his world title too hard
(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)
Sven Nys was hot on the heels of Albert until a last lap crash
(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)
Niels Albert (BKCP Powerplus) on his way to the win in Maldegem
(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)
Zdenek Stybar debuted his new rainbow jersey in Maldegem
(Image credit: www.ispaphoto.com)
Zdenek Stybar (Telenet Fidea)
(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Niels Albert (BKCP Powerplus) on the run.
(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Niels Albert (BKCP Powerplus) on the attack
(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
The podium in Maldegem
(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Niels Albert (BKCP Powerplus) benefitted from Nys' crash to win.
(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet) powers to what could have been the win had he not crashed.
(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Belgian champion Sven Nys
(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Sven Nys took the lead before succumbing to a last lap crash.
(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Bart Wellens (Telenet Fidea) was back on form
(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Stybar modeled his new rainbow jersey in Maldegem
(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
After a few days of partying it was tough going for Stybar
(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Zdenek Stybar (Telenet Fidea) tried out his new rainbow bike in Maldegem
(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Just three days after Belgian Niels Albert bid farewell to his title as World Champion in Tábor, Czech Republic after a resounding defeat at the hands of Zdenek Stybar and the icy championship parcours, the Belgian sped to victory in the Parkcross Maldegem in his home country.
With Stybar trailing in for seventh, Albert insisted that he wasn't out for revenge after his time in the rainbow bands was ended.
"Last year when I came here as the new world champion, I was 13th. It's normal that Stybar wasn't in the mix."
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Telenet Fidea had no problem making up for Stybar's lethargy, with Kevin Pauwels claiming second and the rejuvenated Bart Wellens in third.
Sven Nys led the race until a last lap crash pushed him to fourth.
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Full Results
1
Niels Albert (Bel) BKCP-Powerplus
1:02:56
2
Kevin Pauwels (Bel) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team
0:00:03
3
Bart Wellens (Bel) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team
0:00:16
4
Sven Nys (Bel) Landbouwkrediet
0:00:44
5
Klaas Vantornout (Bel) Sunweb Revor
0:00:52
6
Sven Vanthourenhout (Bel) Sunweb Revor
Row 5 - Cell 2
7
Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team
0:01:20
8
Tom Meeusen (Bel) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team
Row 7 - Cell 2
9
Kenneth Van Compernolle (Bel) Sunweb Revor
0:02:24
10
Marco Bianco (Ita)
0:02:37
11
Kevin Cant (Bel) AVB Cycling Team
Row 10 - Cell 2
12
Stijn Penne (Bel) SDC - Rogelli Cycling Team
Row 11 - Cell 2
13
Gianni Denolf (Bel) BKCP-Powerplus
Row 12 - Cell 2
14
Kenny Geluykens (Bel) Scott USA Cycling Team
Row 13 - Cell 2
15
Bert De Wispelaere (Bel) Wielerteam Morel & Zn - De Pinte
Row 14 - Cell 2
16
Dries Pauwels (Bel) Empella Czech Team
Row 15 - Cell 2
17
Patrick Bassez (Bel) Edegem Bicycle Club V.Z.W.
Row 16 - Cell 2
18
Sam Govaert (Bel)
Row 17 - Cell 2
19
Jean Baptist Taleux (Fra)
Row 18 - Cell 2
