Thomas van Bracht has sent a load of photos from the Men’s and Women’s World Cup in the Czech Republic plus a report from the UCI …
During the second round of the Patrick UCI 2011-2012 Cyclo-cross World Cup in Tabor, Czech Republic, the Belgian rider Kevin Pauwels (Sunweb-Revor) and Katerina Nash (Luna Pro Team) took a win and the lead. Pauwels successfully completed a long solo effort while Nash distanced Dutch riders Daphny van den Brand (AA Drink/Leontien.nl Cyling Team) and Sanne van Paassen (Brainwash Wielerploeg).
Win for Kevin Pawels in the Czech Republic. Photo Thomas van Bracht
Photo album by Thomas of the Women’s Event
In the Men’s event, the fast course in Tabor saw a large group of thirteen riders complete the first laps in the lead together. An acceleration from home rider and World Champion Zdenek Stybar (Quickstep Cycling Team) was enough to get Stybar into the front together with Pauwels and his team-mate Klaas Vantornout (Sunweb-Revor). The latter dropped back and performed stoppage work for Pauwels in the chase group. Little later Stybar was delayed by a flat tyre. Pauwels proved to be much faster than his other rivals and built up a lead of nearly one minute. In the final laps Stybar and Vantornout distanced the other chasers and eventually Stybar pleased the home crowd by winning the sprint, at 32s from winner Pauwels. The latter takes over the lead in the World Cup from Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet) who finished fifth in Tabor. Nys and Stybar share second place in the standings at 15 points from Pauwels.
Photo Album from Thomas of the Men’s Race
The race in the Women’s category was wide open, five women dominated the opening half of the race and in the final laps the group was reduced to three leaders thanks to the efforts from Van Paassen and Nash, while Van den Brand focused on following the two protagonists. In the last lap Nash climbed better than her Dutch rivals and she stormed to her second ever win in a round of the World Cup. Van Paassen slowed in the final metres and Van den Brand captured second place at 6s from Nash. Lucie Chainel-Lefevre (France) was best of the rest at 42s. Nash is the new leader in the World Cup with a lead of 15 points on Van Paassen.
British champion Helen Wyman was the UK’s top finisher in 8th. Photo Thomas van Brach
Lars van der Haar (Netherlands) excelled during the first round in the Men Under 23 category. Elia Silvestri (Italy) managed to stay with the Dutch rider but halfway into the race Van der Haar powered away. Mike Teunissen (Netherlands) was best of the rest and flanked his compatriot on the podium in Tabor.
In the Junior Men category Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands) easily helf off his older opponents in Tabor. Quentin Jauregui (France) was best of the rest at 20s, just ahead of Daan Hoeyberghs (Belgium).
Results
1.    Katerina Nash (Cze) Luna Pro Team     39:59
2.    Daphny Van Den Brand (Ned) Aa Drink – Leontien.Nl Cycling Team     0.06
3.    Sanne Van Paassen (Ned) Brainwash Wielerploeg     @14
4. Â Â Â Lucie Chainel-Lefevre (Fra) Â Â Â @42
5. Â Â Â Pavla Havlikova (Cze) Telenet – Fidea @57
6. Â Â Â Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger) Â Â Â @1:01
7. Â Â Â Sabrina Schweizer (Ger) Focus Mig Team @1:11
8.    Helen Wyman (GBr) Kona Factory Racing    @1:19
9.    Sanne Cant (Bel) Boxx Veldritacademie    @1:22
10.    Sophie De Boer (Ned) Telenet – Fidea    @1:31
16. Â Â Â Gabriella Day (GBr) @2:06
21. Â Â Â Nikki Harris (GBr) Telenet – Fidea @2:21
Elite Men
1.    Kevin Pauwels (Bel) Sunweb Revor    1:02:58
2.    Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Telenet – Fidea    @32
3.    Klaas Vantornout (Bel) Sunweb Revor    @ 35
4.    Francis Mourey (Fra) Francaise des Jeux @40
5.    Sven Nys (Bel) Landbouwkrediet    @41
6.    Tom Meeusen (Bel) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team    @49
7. Â Â Â Bart Aernouts (Bel) Rabo – Giant Offroad Team. Â Â Â @52
8.    Radomir Simunek (Cze) BKCP-Powerplus    @57
9. Â Â Â Bart Wellens (Bel) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team @59
10. Â Â Â Steve Chainel (Fra) FDJ
27. Â Â Â Ian Field (GBr) Hargroves Cycles @2:28