Albert wins World Cup round two in Plzen

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World champion Niels Albert earned his second consecutive World Cup win in Plzen, Czech Republic, today.

He overcame a disastrous start and, before the race's halfway point, he joined home favourite Zdenek Stybar at front. Stybar had to recover from his early efforts. After six laps of racing on the muddy course Albert attacked and was never pulled back.

"Today's course, with the rain and the mud, is what I like. The ground was very slippery, but still fast, the best condition for me. I hope to come back in January for Worlds, but hopefully it's still without snow and ice then," Albert said.

Behind the world champion, Nys won the sprint for second place ahead of Stybar, Kevin Pauwels and French champion Francis Mourey.

"Now I'm improving my start position for the future races and I can head to the Koppenbergcross with ease of mind. We'll see some more interesting races in the near future," said Nys.

USA's Jonathan Page finished 13th.

Albert remains the World Cup leader ahead of Stybar, Vantornout and Mourey. Nys isn't near the front after abandoning during the first World Cup round in Treviso, Italy. The next round of the World Cup round will be held in Nommay, France, November 8.

Hectic start disastrous for world champion

The meadows near the city famous for its beer were more or less dry, but rain showers didn't leave the riders any choice on the slippery course. The start procedure caused a lot of trouble for the riders at the front row, resulting in a restart. Martin Bina pulled off the hole shot, with Vantornout and Zdenek Stybar on his wheel.

Albert had a terrible start and dropped back into the middle of the bunch, riding next to Belgian Champion Sven Nys. The duo moved up quickly, but Czech Champion Stybar powered away in front. The first chasing group included Vantornout, Bina, Kevin Pauwels, Page and Mourey. By the end of the first lap, Stybar led the race with 10" on the first chasers and 19" on the second group led by Erwin Vervecken and including Nys and Stybar.

Stybar fires away, with Page leading the chase

During the second lap, Mourey and Page went to the front while Albert and Nys bridged up to this first chasing group. Two laps after the start sole leader Stybar had 14" on Albert, who led the chase with Pauwels, Vantornout and Mourey, and 18" on Page and Nys.

Albert hammered through the third lap. His gap on Stybar shrank, and one lap later he had only six seconds left. Page dropped out of the first chasing group and was caught by Radomir Simunek Jr. Halfway the fourth lap Stybar was caught back by Albert and Nys, and once Albert reached the front he eased off a little, allowing Pauwels, Mourey and Vantornout to bridge up before the end of the fourth lap. Simunek and Page chased at 13". Franzoi, Vervecken and De Knegt worked hard to stay near the front.

Albert catches Stybar

When entering the fifth lap, Albert and Stybar increased the pace and advantage on Mourey and Vantornout. Albert created a little gap, which Stybar closed down, and powered away on the asphalt when entering the sixth lap. Stybar paid for his early efforts and struggled to stay in touch chasing group that passed him.

The race was decided when entering the uphill road towards the finish line after six laps. Albert still gave all he had while Nys sat up and waited for Pauwels to take the lead in the chase. It allowed Stybar to bridge up with them and handed Albert a twenty seconds lead.

With four laps to go, Albert crossed the finish line 14" ahead of Stybar, Pauwels, Nys and Mourey

Albert wins, battle for second

Nys launched an attack for second place in the eighth lap. Stybar, Pauwels and the persisting Mourey trailed at 22". Vantornout rode at 46" and Italian champion Franzoi led a group with Simunek, De Knegt, Heule, Page at one minute.

Nys managed to pass Stybar in the last corner of the last lap. He held his position over the final 70 metres