Dutch go 1-2 in U23 world cyclocross race

ST. WENDEL, Germany (VN) — Lars Van der Haar might just be the exception that proves the rule.

Belgian cyclocross observers have long noted that it’s difficult — if not impossible — for a single rider to dominate his season from beginning to end. Well, Van der Haar ain’t Belgian, so maybe he wasn’t paying attention.

The 19-year-old from Amersfoort, in the Netherlands, led a one-two score for the Dutch team, again denying the oft-favored Belgians a podium spot at the world championships in Sankt Wendel, Germany, on Saturday. What’s more is that Van der Haar added to an impressive season-long run that saw him win his national championship, the U-23 World Cup and stand atop the UCI rankings at season’s end.

After more than 50 minutes of fighting mud and a packed lead group, Van der Haar took the worlds under-23 men’s title, charging to the line as teammate Mike Teunissen outsprinted the Czech Republic’s Karel Hnik for second on an increasingly muddy and slippery course.

Far from certain

As leader of the UCI U23 standings, Van der Haar had earned the prime starting position — the inside spot on the front row — when he lined up on the running track in Sankt Wendel.

“Everyone here knows that a good start is important, especially here,” Van der Haar said. “I don’t know what happened, but I missed my pedal on the first stroke and was fumbling for a second there at the start.”

Nonetheless, Van der Haar fought back and by the time the field reached the hard right turn onto the dirt, he’d regained his momentum, entering in a respectable fifth position.

With a two-hour gap between the U23 start and the finish of the juniors’ race at noon, the sun had warmed the course, producing a bit more mud and lot more stability, particularly on that mean off-camber. It was a large group that reached and crested the little rise, with only minor casualties — a sharp distinction from the Three Stooges-like scenes in the day’s first race.

“I was concerned about that, but I knew I was best by staying up front and staying alert,” Van der Haar said.

Indeed, his vigilance seemed mirrored by much of the field. Unlike the junior’s race, which saw a crash-triggered — and decisive — split early on, the U23s featured a solid group of 20 or more riders bunched together through the first lap, with a string of others within seconds.

“I looked around and felt pretty good,” Van der Haar said. “I’ve raced these guys all year and I know how they ride and what they can do.”

Bad luck for Summerhill

In that mix, too, was American Danny Summerhill, riding solidly in the top 10, a position he would hold for the next couple of laps. “I flatted; then I had to chase,” he said.

Chase he did, and after a long trip to the pits for a change, Summerhill steadily gained ground as riders from the lead pack gradually got spit off the back. The American — who earned a silver medal at the 2007 junior world ’cross championships — finished 13th on the day, leaving many to wonder what might have been.

Meanwhile up front, the lead group was slowly being whittled down, either by slipping off the back or crashing up front, as was the case with Switzerland’s Arnaud Grand, who tumbled in a slick turn while leading, and Belgian Gert Jan Bosman, whose time at the head of affairs came to a frustrating finish when he wrestled to control his bike on the dicey descent leading to the second pass through the pits.

Through it all, Van der Haar said he was feeling relaxed.

On the final lap, his teammate Teunissen grabbed the advantage, moving ahead of the lead group on the first long climb on the back side of the course. Although the gap appeared to be significant, Teunissen said the effort “took a lot out of my legs” and the chase group pulled close on the second long climb.

On the final trip past the pit area,  just 450 meters from the line, the leaders regrouped for a moment and Van der Haar launched a big attack on the lead-up to the running track.

“I knew when we passed Mike I needed to reach the track first,” he said. “By the time I reached the last 75 meters, I was really, really tired.”

Teunissen said he finished with mixed emotions.

“To miss out on the jersey is a big disappointment,” he said, “but to lose it to a teammate is good. I knew Lars was a good sprinter and that he could probably beat me, but when I saw Karel, I knew I had to go … and thankfully, I held on for silver.”

Race Note: Where are the Belgians?

Both of Saturday’s races were notable in that they featured podiums utterly devoid of the usual black-gold-and-red stripes that mark the usually strong Belgian teams at worlds. As orange-clad Dutch fans streamed out of the stadium, they had plenty to celebrate, as did the French, whose riders enjoyed a three-up sweep of the juniors event.

But the Belgians weren’t surrendering quite yet. The two biggies — the women’s elite at 11 a.m. and men’s elite at 2 p.m. – are on tap for Sunday. Meanwhile, Belgian fans seemed content to continue their preparation for Sunday’s big ride at the end of the day.

That training regime largely involves doing laps around a huge and crowded tent right at the venue while drinking and dancing to a combination of Euro-techno’ pop and brass band music.

Sometimes traditions must be respected and preserved.

FILED UNDER: Cyclocross / News / Race Report TAGS: Cyclocross World Championships

Charles Pelkey

Charles Pelkey joined VeloNews in 1994 after serving as press secretary for former GOP Whip Alan K. Simpson in the U.S. Senate. Pelkey has worked as a journalist since 1985 and held a number of editorial positions at VeloNews including Senior Editor of VeloNews.com. Pelkey earned a JD from the University of Wyoming College of Law and lives in Laramie, Wyoming, with Diana, his wife of 25 years, and their two children, Philip and Annika, whose presence serves as a constant reminder of what really matters. Pelkey left VeloNews in July, 2011, but continues to be a regular contributor. Charles can now be found at liveupdateguy.com

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