Two riders locked together at top of Superprestige GC with one round to go

The Superprestige series entered its latter stages Saturday at the seventh round in chilly, windy Gullegem, Belgium. Michael Vanthourenhout and Niels Vandeputte engaged in a snowy slugfest with series leader Vandeputte prevailing–it was his first win of the season in the Big Three series. The two riders are locked together at top of the GC, only three points between them with one round to go.

Earlier in the day in the Junior men’s race, Emilien Belzile delighted Canadian fans with a runner-up to Belgian Brent Lippens. Belzile’s compatriots also had a great race: Evan Moore was fifth, Farland Lamont sixth and Grayson Franks seventh.

The Overall Competition

The series headed into its final quarter with close GC races in both the elite men’s and women’s sides. In Diegem, Vanthourenhout saved his Superprestige campaign with a bold comeback after a start line crash. He sat two points behind Vandeputte, last year’s GC champ. Tibor del Grosso had won the last two rounds, but he wasn’t in Gullegem.

Joris Nieuwenhuis claimed the hole shot on Lap 1. Vandeputte, who took it easy at Friday’s Exact Cross round in order to throw down with Vanthourenhout, was on Nieuwenhuis’s six. Vandeputte used the sand to take over. Vanthourenhout raced in fifth. Swiss champion Kevin Kuhn and Joran Wyseure, second in Diegem, were also prominent at the business end of the race.

The series leader sifted down to fifth at the start of Lap 2. Nieuwenhuis was better leading through the sand on the second circuit. Vanthourenhout’s teammate Gerben Kuypers distinguished himself by coming forward. Vandeputte was even further back.

Kuypers was first over Lap 3‘s washboard, Wyseure marking him closely. But not closely enough. Kuypers pried out a gap and Verstrynge, Vandeputte and Vanthourenhout were in his wake.

On Lap 4 of 8 Vandeputte powered the pursuit. Kuypers was the only fellow in the top 5 to not change his bike. Vanthourenhout cut across Vandeputte heading into the sand pit but Vandeputte insisted on leading. The snow started to swirl. Finally the chase found Kuypers.

Vandeputte, Vanthourenhout, Wyseure, Kuypers and Nieuwenhuis comprised the elite quintet at the pointy end of the race on Lap 5. Kuypers was Tailgunner Charlie as Nieuwenhuis went to the front. The snow continued.

Vanthourenhout…