• Cyclocross

Nijs wins World Cup in Hofstade

by VeloNews.com

• December 28, 2004
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By VeloNews Interactive

Nijs consolidates his World Cup lead

Photo: Graham Watson

Series leader Sven Nijs won the seventh round of the UCI’s expanded cyclo-cross World Cup in Hofstade, Belgium, on Tuesday.

Classic conditions made this special for Nijs

Photo: Graham Watson

Nijs, who has dominated the discipline for much of the season, finished ahead of compatriot Erwin Vervecken and Italian Enrico Franzoi. Reigning world champion Bart Wellens and the Netherlands’ Richard Groenendaal finished in fourth and fifth respectively.

Nijs dominated the race from beginning to end in classic Belgian conditions: mud, rain and a touch of ice.

Saeco’s Enrico Franzoi takes third

Photo: Graham Watson

“It was a true cyclo-cross race,” Nijs remarked. “For me, it means a lot to do well in these conditions and to lead from start to finish.”

Nijs’s victory extends his lead in the World Cup, a series in which he has won four of the seven events contested thus far.

The ever-present Richard Groenendaal

Photo: Graham Watson

Germany’s Hanka Kupfernagel – a two-time world champion in the event – won what is the third of four races in the women’s World Cup. In taking the win, Kupfernagel beat France’s Maryline Salvetat and the Netherlands’ Daphny van den Brand – the world’s No. 1 in UCI standings.
Photos by Graham Watson and Marcel Van Hoecke belowMen
1. Sven Nys (B), 1:03:23
2. Erwin Vervecken (B), at 0:17
3. Enrico Franzoi (I), s.t.
4. Bart Wellens (B), at 0:35
5. Richard Groenendaal (Nl), at 0:47
6. Davy Commeyne (B), at 1:11
7. Ben Berden (B), s.t.
8. Tom Vannoppen (B), at 1:25
9. Christian Heule (Swi), s.t.
10. Wilant van Gils (Nl), at 1:33

Women
1. Hanka Kupfernagel (G), in 41:58
2. Maryline Salvetat (F), at 0:53
3. Daphny van den Brand (Nl), at 1:20
4. Mirjam Melchers (Nl), at 1:39
5. Sabine Spitz (G), at 1:52
6. Nadia Triquet (F), at 2:10

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