Cycle cross: Mathieu van der Poel once again confidently secured the world championship title in cyclo cross. The Dutchman won the Elite Men with an impressive performance once again. It was much more exciting for the women when Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado won the sprint - and thus made history.
Van der Poel does his rounds alone
Also on the airport grounds of Dübendorf was against the superiority of Mathieu van der Poel nothing to do. The Dutchman once again presented himself in top form and didn't give the competition the slightest chance. After just two laps, the dominator of cyclo-cross sport had a lead of almost a minute. The title was taken. Behind them, it was only a matter of silver and bronze early on. There, finally, the Briton could thomas pidcock and the Belgian Toon Aerts push through. They finished 80 and 105 seconds behind winner Mathieu van der Poel.
What a rider, what a win!
🌈🇳🇱🎉Congratulations, @mathieuvdpoel. #Dubendorf2020 pic.twitter.com/E3TKb5pynn
— UCI Cyclocross (@UCI_CX) February 2, 2020
Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado makes history
The Dutch women were even more dominant in the elite women's race. Here, the drivers in orange took the entire podium – and that after they had always been at a disadvantage to the Belgian Sanne Cant in the previous three years. But this time they determined the entire race. The three of them were traveling, even if Lucinda Brand had to be torn off again and again and finally crossed the finish line ten seconds behind. After all, a sprint had to decide the Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado close to Anne Marie Worst could win. At the age of just 21, she was crowned the youngest world champion in cyclocross history.
Lucinda Brand:
"It's a disappointment. A different one for sure than last year. Because this time I wasn't the strongest rider in the race like in 2019. But I always race to win gold.”
Annemarie Worst:
“It was a close race with Ceylin. We did all the laps almost side by side. Unfortunately I lost the sprint.”
Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado:
“The title is a great satisfaction for me. The feelings I felt after the successful sprint were unbelievable.”
WHAT. A FINISH!
Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado sprints to World Championship victory at #Dubendorf2020!
🌈@AnnemarieMTB just misses out in 2nd whilst @lucinda_brand rolls in for bronze.🇳🇱🇳🇱🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/0EkIAvDn2H
— UCI Cyclocross (@UCI_CX) February 1, 2020
Kevin Kuhn wins silver for Switzerland
In addition to the Dutch, the Swiss in particular had reason to celebrate. Because the Swiss were also able to celebrate a medal for one of their own on their route in Dübendorf - and that after 15 years without winning a medal in cyclocross. back then was Kevin Kuhn just six years old. The 21-year-old overall World Cup winner can now look forward to silver in the U23 class at the World Championships. If he was still ahead in the overall World Cup rankings, he only had to face the Dutchman in his home country Ryan Camp give up. His compatriot won bronze Mees Hendrikx.
Kevin Kuhn:
“It was crazy to drive in front of so many Swiss fans. A dream really came true today.”
Ryan Kamp:
"I came here with a good feeling for the race and am happy about the title."
Attack from @_ryankamp🇳🇱 blows this race apart!
💥@kuhn_kev🇨🇭 desperately trying to keep Kamp & the World title in his sights. in 3rd, @AntoineBenoist_🇫🇷 & @hendrikx_mees🇳🇱 in a fierce duel.#Dubendorf2020 pic.twitter.com/vGaNbwO0Bo— UCI Cyclocross (@UCI_CX) February 1, 2020
Favorite wins & surprises
The title for the juniors was awarded for the first time at the Cycle Cross World Championships in Dübendorf. This won - what a surprise - a Dutch woman. The only 17 year old Shirin van Anrooij lived up to their role as favourites. Already halfway through the first lap she was able to pull away and finally sovereign in front of her compatriot Puck Pieterse and the American Madigan Munro bring home the win.
The juniors' race was a matter for the Belgians. Thibau Nys – son of the cyclocross legend Sven Nys – confidently snatched the title. The podium was completed with Lennert Belmans and Emiel Verstrynge two compatriots. A preliminary decision was already made on the first lap when the strongest drivers were able to pull away from the rest of the field.
There was a little surprise in the women's U23 class. It won Marion Norbert Riberolle with a lead of 27 seconds Kata Blanka Vas and 40 seconds on Anna Kay. With an early attack, the French drove alone in the lead for almost the entire race and couldn't be caught anymore. defending champion Inge van der Heijden from the Netherlands fell down three times and therefore had no chance.