Van den Brand top in Middelkerke
Harris and Havlikova make the podium
Despite her nearing retirement European champion Daphny van den Brand (AA Drink-Leontien.nl) keeps racking up the wins. And just like last weekend in Hoogstraten the 33-year-old finished ahead of Nikki Harris (Telenet-Fidea) and Pavla Havlikova (Telenet-Fidea).
“This was quite an easy win on a fast technical course. I made the difference in the technical section. This week I felt really tired because of the cold and the long season, but there are only four races to go,” Van den Brand said.
The podium finishers distanced the rest of the field early on and together they hit the final lap in Middelkerke. In the first corners Van den Brand pulled away from the two Telenet-Fidea riders.
“She had a small gap on those corners and it was impossible to close it down,” a disappointed Harris said. “I made a big step forward this season but I’m really longing for a win. Today I came close but I think I lack confidence. I should’ve used my head better because I was leading the group on the long sections while Daphny could just sit on the wheels. I should’ve talked with Pavla too,” Harris concluded.
British champion Helen Wyman (Kona Factory Team) finished fifth, just behind Dutch rider Arenda Grimberg. “While riding in fourth I got stuck with my foot at the barriers and crashed. I needed a new bike so the podium was gone,” Wyman said.
The Superprestige cyclo-cross series don’t organize a ranking in the Women’s category and this might have been the reason why the starting field in Middelkerke wasn’t impressive. World champion Marianne Vos (Stichting Rabo Women), USA-champion Katie Compton (Rabo-Giant Off-road), Sanne van Paassen (Brainwash), Sophie de Boer (Telenet-Fidea) and Belgian champion Sanne Cant (Boxx Veldritacademie) didn’t show up. On Sunday most women race in Heerlen, The Netherlands.
1 | Daphny van den Brand (Ned) AA Drink - Leontien.nl | 0:39:25 |
2 | Nikki Harris (GBr) Telenet-Fidea Cycling Team | 0:00:08 |
3 | Pavla Havlikova (Cze) Telenet-Fidea Cycling Team | 0:00:13 |
4 | Arenda Grimberg (Ned) | 0:01:08 |
5 | Helen Wyman (GBr) Kona Factory Racing | 0:01:28 |
6 | Nancy Bober (Bel) Style & Concept Cycling Team | 0:01:53 |
7 | Joyce Vanderbeken (Bel) Cycling Team Vermeeren | 0:02:06 |
8 | Nikoline Hansen (Den) Bov CC-Denmark | 0:02:21 |
9 | Amy Dombroski (USA) Crankbrothers Race Club | 0:02:33 |
10 | Nicole De Bie-Leyten (Bel) Telenet-Fidea Cycling Team | 0:03:35 |
11 | Christine Vardaros (USA) Baboco | 0:03:40 |
12 | Margriet Kloppenburg (Den) | -1lap |
13 | Caitlyn La Haye (Bel) Hageland Cycling Team | -2laps |
14 | Sandie Verriest (Bel) | Row 13 - Cell 2 |
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Tour of Turkey: Tobias Lund Andresen wins stage 5 to retain overall lead
Fabio Jakobsen takes second behind DSM-Firmenich-PostNL teammate -
Mike's Bikes launches 'mega sale' with discounts on everything sitewide
Everything is reduced until Sunday, so it's a perfect time to stock up for the summer -
Geraint Thomas returns to Giro d’Italia with ‘aggressive’ Ineos team primed to challenge Pogačar
Welshman to be joined by Arensman, Foss, Ganna, Ben and Connor Swift, Narváez and Sheffield in Italy -
Best cycling trousers of 2024: Six options so you can ride to work and not get changed
Ride in comfort without having to take a change of clothes to the office