European Cyclocross Championships: Jente Michels defends under-23 men’s title

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Belgium’s Jente Michels successfully defended his under-23 title at the 2024 European Cyclocross Championships, as a race-long battle with rival David Haverdings (Netherlands) was ended by a mechanical in the final few hundred metres.

Michels and Haverdings had battled fiercely throughout the race, glued together and swapping the leading position constantly. The pair were joined by Filippo Agostinacchio (Italy) and it looked like the race would be decided by a three-up sprint before Haverdings’ chain came off in the closing stages of the final lap.