October 19/14 19:23 pm - Cyclocross World Cup #1 Valkenburg

Posted by Editoress on 10/19/14
 

Katie Compton (Trek Cyclocross Collective) and Lars van der Haar (Giant-Shimano Development Team) too the wins in the opening round of the 2014 World Cup in Valkenburg, NEtherlands.  Both riders now take the overall lead in teh World Cup standings.

Elite Women

Katie Compton (Trek Cyclocross Collective) dominated the elite women's field and rode onto the top step of the podium at the 2014-2015 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup opener on Sunday.

Compton had a chaotic start that saw her drop out of the top ten when she needed a bike change, but despite her tough luck the American strongwoman was able to ride smooth and work her way back up through the field. At the end of the 45-minute contest, Compton soloed across the finish line for the win 13 seconds ahead of silver medalist Helen Wyman (GBr) and 25 seconds ahead of bronze medalist Sophie De Boer (Ned).

USA Cycling

Elite Men
Lars van der Haar raced to a compelling victory in the opening World Cup race of the cyclo-cross season in Valkenburg. Lars won last year’s edition of the race and made it two from two in 2014 with an impressive solo win in front on home soil.

The twenty-three year-old Dutch cyclo-cross champion, racing for Development Team Giant-Shimano this season, moved clear from early in the race, moving ahead with Kevin Pauwels (Sunweb) before Pauwels crashed leaving Lars alone out front with a long way to race still.

Lars pushed on, setting his own tempo and used the advantage of being able to pick his own trajectory and line to extend his advantage out front to a minute before making sure that eh got to the finish safely without making any mistakes late in the race. He eventually came across the finish line to strong applause 26 seconds ahead of Pauwels in second place.

With the victory Lars takes the lead in the World Cup, a series of races that he won in the 2013/14 season, and one that he is once again looking to perform well in this season.

“From the first lap it went perfect today,” explained Lars after the finish. “I came in front with Pauwels but then became alone, and I didn’t expect that. I pushed him too far and he made a mistake.”

When referring to not taking a drink during the race, Lars said: “I didn’t take a drink as I knew I could manage the heat – I don’t think you need to do it for an hour. It turned out to be a good decision.

“I am happy with my demonstration today, it was a good race and this was my first peak of the season. I’m pleased to be the World Cup leader again and I hope to go on like this.”
Team Giant Shimano

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