Lars van der Haar wins UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup in Valkenburg

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The first edition of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup in Valkenburg at the famous Cauberg turned out to be the ideal setting for young, local rider Lars van der Haar (Rabobank) to grab his first big pro win. The 22-year-old Dutchman finished solo ahead of Kevin Pauwels (Sunweb-Napoleon Games) and Philipp Walsleben (BKCP-Powerplus). World champion Sven Nys and French champion Francis Mourey were forced out of the race with mechanicals. Last year's World Cup winner Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus) had an off-day and didn't make it into the top-10 in Valkenburg.

"This is one of the most special wins in my life. It's my first big pro win and it's also a World Cup win and also in Holland," Van der Haar said.

There was a minute of silence in memory of Amy Dombroski before the start of the race.

The demanding course at the Cauberg included multiple, steep run-ups and drops. The tricky course was made even more selective as it started raining as the race got underway. Pauwels managed the hole shot while Albert and Belgian champion Klaas Vantornout (Sunweb-Napoleon Games) got off to poor starts.

No rider seemed to be able to make the difference until Nys crashed while leading the pack. Nys needed some time to recover and lost some positions.

Upon hitting the third lap, Van der Haar accelerated and blew Mourey and others off his wheel. Only Pauwels could react. By the end of the third lap, Pauwels bridged up to Van der Haar. The first chasers trailed the leading duo by more than 10 seconds and once Vantornout played the perfect teammate in that chase group, the gap grew up to more than 20 seconds.

Walsleben rode alone into third place during the fifth lap while Nys had a flat front tyre. In front, Pauwels ran into bad luck, too, as his chain dropped. Pauwels needed time to get going again, and the Belgian was caught by Walsleben.

Meanwhile, more rain came down on the riders. With four laps to go, Van der Haar led the race with 23 seconds on Pauwels and Walsleben. Vantornout was alone in fourth at half a minute with Nys a little further back in a group that also included Albert.

During the sixth lap, Pauwels lost even more ground on both Van der Haar and Walsleben. He was caught by Vantornout and an improving Nys. A little further back, Mourey abandoned with a broken rear derailleur.

During the following lap, Nys lost time and positions again with another flat tyre - about half a minute. Pauwels dropped Vantornout and rode at short distance from Walsleben. The latter faded a little and was overtaken by Pauwels during the penultimate lap.

In the meantime, Nys fought his way back into eighth place with a fifth place still possible. His chain decided differently during the final lap. Game over for Nys.

"It wasn't my lucky day," said Nys. "I lost a lot of energy during the second flat tyre. My chain broke when I went full gas at the bottom of the drop. It's part of the sport, and it'll result in other perspectives."

Meanwhile Van der Haar easily kept Pauwels at distance, grabbing a well-deserved win on home soil. The Dutchman received a quick kiss from girlfriend Lucy Garner before taking on the white jersey of leader in the World Cup on the podium. Van der Haar was flanked by Pauwels and a surprising Walsleben.

In six days, the riders will contest the second round of the World Cup in Tabor, Czech Republic.

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