Sven Nys still on top after Superprestige Gavere
In the previous round of the Superprestige, in Hamme-Zogge, Belgium, Sven Nys took the leadership out of the hands of the early-season cyclo-cross champion Zdenek Stybar by one point. After Sunday’s race in Gavere, Nys now leads the series by five points
thanks to his victory in the latest round, where Stybar only managed a fifth-place finish.
“I lacked the power today to stay with the leaders,” said Stybar to the race press.
Kevin Pauwels also continued to prove his form, which he found the previous day with a victory at the GvA GP Hasselt. Pauwels managed to cross the finish line on the winner’s wheel to be awarded the same time of 58:48.
“This is great as I'm not often winning races this way,” said Nys. “Kevin was riding very strong. In the finale I couldn't get rid of him on the climb so we had to sprint. I don't think I closed the door completely although it's true that I moved a bit from
my line.”
Joining the pair on the podium was Niels Albert 22 seconds behind, with Bart Wellens in fourth, 1:05 behind Nys. Wellens benefitted from a late catch-up, having been left behind at the beginning of the race. The podium finishers were joined by Stybar and
Klaas Vantornout for a five-man breakaway, which was half a minute ahead by the third lap. When Stybar and Vantornout were eventually dropped by the top three, Wellens managed to catch and pass them, but could not bridge the gap to Albert for the third podium
spot.
“That doesn't bother me too much,” said Albert. “I'm happy with the way I rode today. When Nys attacked I dropped my chain. I was able to keep the gap within ten seconds but going a bit faster and coming back to them wasn't possible.”
Sanne van Paassen also won in a sprint finish in the women’s race, ahead of Helen Wyman with a time of 38:30. She became the first rider to win the race after Katie Compton’s streak of three consecutive wins in the last three editions.
“This is great. It boosts my confidence that despite sickness I was able to ride hard,” said Van Paassen.
There is no overall women’s Superprestige series, despite the fact that many of the individual races include a women’s category
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