Cycling: The World Cup race in Flamanville was not well attended, but it offered the fans the best cyclocross. In the end, Eli Iserbyt won in the men's category, and Fem van Empel in the women's category.
Iserbyt underpins his overall World Cup victory
With his sixth World Cup victory this season, Eli Iserbyt once again gave the competition no chance in Flamanville. The 24-year-old Belgian won by a margin of 1m00 and 1m12 respectively over his compatriots Toon Aerts and Michael Vanthourenhout. Eli Iserbyt, who is already the overall World Cup winner, is once again in the running for the World Championship title, after his performances were a little weaker than at the beginning of the season.
Eli Iserbyt:
“I knew in the last few races that I wasn't super bad. But now I have a really good feeling again. A win like that is always very important psychologically, especially for me. I was able to take two weeks off a little more than the rest. It wasn't the best Eli today, but the course was ideal for Eli."
Result of the day in Flamanville:
1. Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal)
2. Toon Aerts (Baloise Trek Lions) +1:00
3. Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) +1:12
World Cup standings after 14 of 15 races:
1. Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) 445 points
2. Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) 335 points
3. Toon Aerts (Baloise Trek Lions) 327 points
This is how @IserbytEli soloed to victory today in Flamanville! 🇫🇷 The overall winner claims his 6️⃣th UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup round of the season! 🏆 #CXWorldCup pic.twitter.com/PdUgQTNBne
— UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup (@UCIcyclocrossWC) January 16, 2022
Van Empel wins the duel of the wild youngsters
Second World Cup victory for Fem van Empel. The only 19-year-old Dutchwoman won the exciting World Cup race in Flamanville in a sprint ahead of her compatriot and also only 19-year-old Puck Pieterse. Only in the last few meters did she pass in the absence of the top stars and raised her arms to the sky to cheer. 23 seconds later, Hungary's Blanka Kata Vas crossed the finish line in third place. Lucinda Brand from the Netherlands continues to lead in the overall World Cup.
Fem van Empel:
“I'm happy about my second win. I never expected that before the season. I know that the sprint is one of my strengths. Puck and I were level, she was a bit ahead of me then, but it was uphill and I had every chance. She started the sprint earlier but I saw that it wasn't the right time. And only at the finish line is there cheering.”
Result of the day in Flamanville:
1. Fem van Empel (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal)
2. Puck Pieterse (Alpecin – Fenix) St
3. Blanka Kata Vas (SD Worx) + 0:23
World Cup standings after 14 of 15 races:
1. Lucinda Brand (Baloise – Trek Lions) 402 points
2. Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal) 343 points
3. Puck Pieterse (Alpecin – Fenix) 325 points
Relive an amazing battle between two Dutch youngsters! 🇳🇱 Fem van Empel shows her fast legs and eventually beats Puck Pieterse in the sprint 👏 #CXWorldCup pic.twitter.com/2rTBkoMhgp
— UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup (@UCIcyclocrossWC) January 16, 2022