In the fifth run of the 2016/17 UCI World Cup Mathieu van der Poel and Sanne Cant gave impressive proof of their class in their respective races. They won on a flat, fast and technically challenging course in Zeven in front of 4,500 spectators.

Toon Vandenbosch rode to second place in the Juniors’ category. The 10 participants of the STEVENS Racing Team also showed respectable performances in the international pro field.

Just as successful went the premiere on the 2.8 km (1.74 mls) course in Zeven, about an hour by car from Hamburg. For the first time in 14 years a ’cross World Cup race took place in Germany and for the very first time in Northern Germany which ironically is Germany’s top cyclocross region.

Mathieu van der Poel, Beobank-Corendon, didn’t get a good start at first. In the first lap of the 2.8km course he already had to stop at the pits to change his bike. A collision with another rider had resulted in a damaged rear wheel, van der Poel told after the race. After climbing on the new bike he found himself in position 20. ”I felt great and from this position I could ride my own race.”

In The Hunt
Going at a self-chosen speed he was able to catch up to Wout van Aert who had escaped to a 25 second lead by the middle of the race. He then overtook second and third placed Tom Meeusen and Kevin Pauwels, kept van Aerts’ rear wheel for about half a lap and then went to attack.

The Dutch Champion never had a doubt to win on this fast course with its many curves and was steadily increasing his lead step by step. When he eventually crossed the finish line in front of an enthusiastic crowd, his advantage had increased to 21 seconds. World Champion Wout van Aert yet still leads the WC overall ranking now in front of Laurens Sweeck of team ERA-Circus who by finishing 6th rode to a top placing.

Third best STEVENS Super Prestige rider became David van der Poel by finishing in 14th place. Best German was Marcel Eisen in place 10. STEVENS Racing Team rider Yannick Gruner came in 41st, Max Lindenau 49th and Ole Quast 58th. In the U23 race Jens Dekker, currently reigning U19 World Champion, rode to a very good rank 7. Team mate Adam Toupalik comes in at 8th, Paul Lindenau rides to an also respectable place 29.

Thrilling Duel Between Sanne Cant And Katie Compton
In the Women’s Elite race World Champion Thalita de Jong and World Cup Series leader Sophie de Boer initially had escaped when in lap two they became part of a ten-strong head group. Then Belgian Champion Sanne Cant broke away with American rider Katie Compton following and catching up to her shortly after. Compton fought a thrilling duel with Cant during the second half of the race.

In the final lap though Sanne Cant made her final break-away ascending the only hill in the course and had enough time to enjoy the applause on the home stretch. Behind Katie Compton, Alice Arzuffi (Italy) came in third. De Boer and De Jong followed in fourth and fifth. Jessica Lambracht of STEVENS Racing Team finished 26th as best German rider while Lisa Heckmannn rode to place 38 and Stefanie Paul despite having competed well fell back after a mechanical in the final lap.

In the U19 competition Toon Vandenbosch of Enertherm-Beobank who rides in his second year as a Junior fought courageously and eventually was defeated only by Jelle Camps. David Westhoff-Witwer in his first year as a Junior and competing in his second World Cup race overall finished 32nd. ”Compared to my first World Cup race I was able to make up time therefore I’m pleased. But I need to adapt especially to the starts in the Juniors’ where everybody just plows ahead”, the STEVENS Racing Team rider said. His team mates Luca Bockelmann who finished 40th and Noah Boving also were happy about their good early career performances.

”Love To Return!”
Like the riders on STEVENS Super Prestige also the organizers of Germany’s first World Cup race in 14 years can be pleased: The designers of the course were able to make use of everything the somewhat flat terrain with a single hill - which had to be climbed four times – and several technical sections had to offer. Also the 4,500 spectators were in a great mood.  In the end most of them felt like Mathieu van der Poel who said in an interview after the award ceremony: ”I can imagine more of these races to take place in Germany.”