Joris Nieuwenhuis (Ridley Racing Team) and Laurens Sweeck (Crelan-Corendon) were left reflecting on a missed opportunity after they podiumed at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup in Terralba, Sardinia.
Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Altez Industriedbouw) had the perfect last lap tactics as he held the front position and sprinted to victory after a close race.
Nieuwenhuis finished just a second behind as his search for a second World Cup continues – his only win coming in Val di Sole two years ago.
“It was quite a hard race in the end because I had a good feeling that me and Michael [Vanthourenhout] were the best in the race at the start,” said Nieuwenhuis.
“We tried to get away but it was quite hard. I tried to defend my position all the time and hoped to do something in the last lap.
“Michael was a bit stronger, second. I think Michael got a bit better of a line and a bit better legs. He just got the better of me in the end.”
All of last weekend’s podium in Flamanville were absent in Sardinia, with Nys joined on a training camp in Calpe by Baloise Glowi Lions team-mate Lars Van der Haar and Cameron Mason also sitting out this round.
In the closing stages, a puncture at a key moment ended Ronhaar’s chances as the leading three rode clear.
Sweeck said that the fast nature of the course meant that it was a ‘fight after every corner’ for position after he narrowly missed out on victory.
“It was only a few seconds,” said Sweeck as his search for a first World Cup win in three years continues.
“I was in a good position on the last lap, but in the end it was a tactical move from Michael in the mud that made the difference.
“It was just a case of sitting as forward…
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