Sven Nys wins 2011 Fidea Scheldecross

Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet) soloed to victory in the Fidea Scheldecross Antwerp on Saturday.

Nys found himself the filling in a Telenet-Fidea sandwich with just over three laps to race in the third race of the Fidea Cyclocross Classics series. But the Landbouwkrediet man was better in the deep sand than either Tom Meeusen or Rob Peeters, and soon left them behind.

With two laps remaining Nys had seven seconds on Meeusen, who in turn was a half-dozen seconds ahead of Peeters. But on the final go-round Nys was absolutely flawless in a long, winding sandy stretch and doubled his advantage on the second-placed rider.

After a quick glance over one shoulder, Nys coasted across the line alone, saluting the crowd, and a weary Meeusen held on for second. But Peeters faded in the final lap and Dieter Vanthourenout (BKCP-Powerplus) overhauled him to take third. Kevin Pauwels (Sunweb-Revor) followed Peeters for fifth.

American Jonathan Page (Planet Bike) finished 22nd.

Another Landbouwkrediet leads early

Vincent Baestaens (Landbouwkrediet) took the early lead as heavy traffic going into the deep sand set the field afoot. Radomir Simunek (BKCP-PowerPlus) joined up at the long staircase run leading to a flat grassy section and by the end of lap one the two had built a lead of a half-dozen seconds over a chase led by Rabobank-Giant teammates Lars Van Der Haar and Gerben De Knegt.

Nys was at the head of a second group with Meeusen and Peeters, some 15 seconds behind.

Soon there was a seven-man lead group driving into the sand. De Knegt briefly took the lead ahead of Klaas Vantornout (Sunweb-Revor), but then Vantornout punched it, leaving a three-man chase headed by Meeusen going into the stairs.

Meeusen bridged and the two rode together into lap three, building a seven-second advantage with Meeusen pushing the pace. Behind, Peeters was chasing alone, trying to ride up to his teammate.

Going into lap four Nys was out front of a big chase some 20 seconds down on the leaders. As they left the pavement, Meeuse, glanced over his shoulder and appeared to slow a bit, to give Peeters his chance to catch on. Vantornout then took the lead through the long, winding, off-camber stretch of sand, but Peeters caught on anyway.

Nys bridges, Peeters punches it

Nys made it up, too, only to see Peeters attack. The Telenet rider had six seconds at the stairs and Nys was forced to chase once more.

Going into the fifth lap the Nys-led chase could just see Peeters up ahead as he left the pavement and hit the grass. Then Nys used the long sandy slog to shed the others and closed in on Peeters. Meeusen, in turn, was just a few bike lengths behind Nys.

Nys made contact, as did Meeusen, and the Landbouwkrediet man instantly gave it the gas, upping the pace.

With three laps to go Peeters was leading the front trio. Vantornout was alone in fourth at 10 seconds with Pauwels in a small group even further back.

Meeusen took over as the Telenets began tag-teaming Nys in the sand. But he hung tough and was sitting second wheel as they hit the stairs, then came forward on the grass and led up a short, steep hill.

The sandman cometh

He was still on the front with two to go, and as the three leaders burrowed into the sand Nys attacked, taking a few seconds over Meeusen as Peeters appeared to crack.

Three seconds, five seconds, seven seconds — Nys was clear and charging away.

As Nys began the bell lap Meeusen was gutting it out at seven seconds back with Peeters down 15 seconds. But the Telenets couldn’t match Nys in the sand — he had pumped up his advantage to 13 seconds as he hit the grass and would not be caught.

The final time through the double barriers Nys dismounted to run instead of bunny-hopping them as he had been doing, then soloed to a clear win ahead of Meeusen. The flagging Peeters saw Vanthourenhout slip past him on the pavement to snatch the final step on the podium.

Quick results

• 1. Sven Nys, Landbouwkrediet
• 2. Tom Meeusen, Telenet-Fidea
• 3. Sven Vanthourenout, BKCP-Powerplus
• 4. Rob Peeters, Telenet-Fidea
• 5. Kevin Pauwels, Sunweb-Revor

Complete results

FILED UNDER: Cyclocross / News / Race Report TAGS: Fidea Scheldecross / Sven Nys