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Wout van Aert triumphs at UCI cyclocross World Cup in Koksijde, Sanne Cant wins women’s race

Wout van Aert dominated Saturday’s second round of the UCI cyclocross World Cup in Koksijde, Belgium. The 19-year-old Belgian broke away early in the race, with fellow first-year professional Mathieu van der Poel the only rider able to hold his wheel. The two worked up nearly a minute’s advantage, while Sven Nys led a large chasing group behind.

Wout van Aert
November 22, 2014
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Wout van Aert
Wout van Aert wins the second race of the 2014-15 UCI World Cup series in Koksijde, Belgium. Photo: @kvckoksijde

Wout van Aert dominated Saturday’s second round of the UCI cyclocross World Cup in Koksijde, Belgium. The 19-year-old Belgian broke away early in the race, with fellow first-year professional Mathieu van der Poel the only rider able to hold his wheel. The two worked up nearly a minute’s advantage, while Sven Nys led a large chasing group behind. Van Aerts took off solo halfway into the race and from there never faltered, putting on a masterful performance through the famous Flemish sand dunes to take the win. Behind, Kevin Pauwels charged away from the chasing group to catch and pass the fading van der Poel to take second. Van der Poel just barely held on for the final podium spot. Van Aert’s win adds to a dream season for the rider, who already won the Koppenbergcross earlier in the month. “Koksijde and the Koppenburg are the two races every rider wants to have on his palmares, I have them now in my first season as a pro,” Van Aerts noted, before dedicating the victory to his team manager Niels Albert, whose own ‘cross career was cut short this year due to a heart problem. Pauwel’s second place puts him in the lead of the overall World Cup standings after the previous leader, Lars van der Haar, fell sick and was unable to start. For Canada, Cameron Jette finished 50th, Aaron Schooler was 53rd, and Mark McConnell ended 57th.

In the women’s race, Belgium’s Sanne Cant took the victory ahead of Dutch racers Sabrina Stultiens, who was second, and Sophie de Boer, who was third. Canada’s Maghalie Rochette finished 27th. Sophie de Boer leads the overall standings.

The next round of the UCI Cyclocross World Cup will be held next Saturday in Milton Keynes, England.

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