Klaas Vantornout overcame Sven Nys at the Internationale Superprestige Gieten 2012
Defeating Sven Nys seemed almost impossible throughout the UCI Cyclo-cross over the past few months as the Belgian succeeded at the Superprestige event in Ruddervoorde, Zonhoven and Hamme-Zogge.
However, Klaas Vantornout of Sunweb-Revor finally managed to break Nys’ spell at the Internationale Superprestige Gieten 2012 in Netherlands with a photo-finish.
He took a total time of 54 minutes and 6 seconds to occupy the top podium position, with Sven Nys of Team Landbouwkrediet-KDL finishing at the second spot.
The Belgians yet again topped the event with Kevin Pauwels of Team Sunweb-Revor, Rob Peeters of Team Telenet-Fidea, Niels Albert of Team BKCP-Powerplus and Bart Aernouts of Team AA Drink Cyclocross claiming the third, fourth, fifth and sixth positions respectively.
Before the start of the race, Klaas declared Nys as winner after seeing his destructive form all through the season, but managed to get through the defences of his in-form compatriot.
"I also said we would continue to try to beat him, I'm doing a great season so far with a win in Ardooie and now even a Superprestige race. It's super," Vantornout smiled recalling his previous comments while talking to Vier.
"Shortly before the finish I accelerated and got a small gap. I heard Sven made a mistake. Without that mistake it would be hard to beat him in the sprint. I had to try and get a gap on him".
"I slipped just when I wanted to start my engine. I did believe that it was still possible [to win], especially because of the headwind,” he concluded.
German cyclist Philipp Walsleben of Team BKCP-Powerplus finished 1 minute and 18 seconds behind the race leader and claimed the seventh spot with Jan Denuwelaere, Mariusz Gil and Sven Vanthourenhout achieving the next three positions.
Nys still leads the Superprestige standings after 5 rounds with a total number of 74 points to his credit.
Niels Albert is 11 points behind at the second position with Kevin Pauwels and Klaas Vantornout of Team Sunweb-Revor holding the third and the fourth positions with 61 and 58 points respectively.
Bart Aernouts (51 points), Rob Peeters (44 points), Lars van der Haar (42 points), Bart Wellens (38 points), Julien Taramarcaz (25 points) and Thijs van Amerongen (21 points) achieved the next six spots in the respective order.
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