Cycling: Michael Vanthourenhout finally made it and became European Cyclocross Champion. On Sunday, the Belgian secured the title in Namur surprisingly well ahead of Dutchman Lars van der Haar and his compatriot Laurens Sweeck
Vanthourenhout becomes European champion for the first time
Eleven months ago, Michael Vanthourenhout won the World Cup race in Namur. This time he should have been a little happier about his success. Because the Belgian is the new European champion in the elite. He crossed the finish line a whopping 40 seconds ahead of Lars van der Haar. The Dutchman was more than a minute and a half faster than third-placed Laurens Sweeck from Belgium. Switzerland's Kevin Kuhn just missed a medal. In fifth place, he was 34 seconds short of bronze, the best German was Marcel Meisen in 15th place. Unfortunately, top favorite Eli Iserbyt had to give up the race due to numbness.
Glibberen and glijden in a musty name. Lars van der Haar reads zijn Europese titel aan Michael Vanthourenhout pic.twitter.com/cXiWpPVuWc
— NPO Radio 1 (@NPORadio1) November 6, 2022
Bisiaux prevents Belgian-Dutch series
So there won't be a European Championship in which only the Belgians and the Dutch fight for the gold medals. In the juniors, a Frenchman triumphed in the person of Léo Bisiaux. The Dane Daniel Nielsen, who was able to prevail over the Dutchman Guus van den Eijnden, can be happy about silver in the junior class.
Bravo to Leo Bisiaux @lbsx1 licencié du Vélo club de Riom qui décroche le titre de champion d'Europe Junior de Cyclo-Cross ! #fierdetrepuydomois #puydedome #sport #bike #champion pic.twitter.com/cle6dvV69X
— Puy-de-Dôme, mon Département (@Departement63) November 6, 2022
Puck Pieterse drives to the next track with a wheelie
There were no surprises among the U23 women. After winning the World Championships in Fayetteville, Puck Pieterse is now also celebrating in Namur. The Dutchwoman is now crowned European Champion after winning the World Championship. With an early attack she was able to prevail in front of the French Line Burquier and the Dutch Shirin van Anrooij. Since her lead was big enough, she even celebrated her title with a wheelie when crossing the finish line. Judith Krahl was eleventh as the best German.
Puck Pieterse put on quite a show here today! She takes the WU23 title in Namur #eurocross22 pic.twitter.com/PNdfitq1YL
— Cyclocross Social (@Cyclocrosss) November 6, 2022