Belgian double victory in the Worlds’ U-23 race: Michael Vanthourenhout wins in front of Laurens Sweeck and Stan Godrie (Netherlands). Paul Lindenau, STEVENS Racing Team, races to place 33 in his first U23-World Championships. Felix Drumm comes in 27th. Michael Vanthourenhout demonstrated superior performance, he was the best in adapting to a race course that steadily became more slippery as the race went on and gained valuable time by clearing obstacles by jumping instead of carrying his bike over them.

Sweeck, riding his STEVENS Super Prestige, was in the lead during the first half of the race, but lost significant time in three crashes. Sweeck was able to distance Stan Godrie, when Godrie slipped in a curve. ”My last crash was the decisive one”, said Sweeck, ”I wasn’t far behind Michael, but I couldn’t close the gap anymore. Michael had the advantage of gaining time by jumping obstacles. Yet, this is my first medal in a World Championship and I am happier about that.”

Paul Lindenau had started the race from grid six and began quite well, having settled in position 25. ”Then I slipped on the ice and could not grab the handlebar properly in the next two laps.” As the race went on, it was all back and forth between place 30 and 35 for the STEVENS Racing Team rider, also due to a puncture. In the end, Lindenau won the sprint for place 33. After the race he said: ”I think this rank is not the worst for my first year in the U-23 category. I had different expectations, though.”