Sven Nys took his second win this weekend when he crossed the finish line in the Druivencross Overijse in first place. Unlike yesterday, when he admitted to profit from the bad luck of Niels Albert's flat tire, Nys was dominating today. Kevin Pauwels was second and Klaas Vantornout third. Lars Boom, in only his second cross race of the season, animated the early part of the competition. A flat tire cut his chances for a podium short, but he still ended in seventh place.
Nys was very satisfied with his race. "I rode perfectly today. I had a good start," he told Belgian TV after the race. "The uphill sections were tough." The Overijse course is extremely difficult, with very steep sections, tight corners, deep mud and cobble stones. But once Nys was on the front, the tight-looping course occasionally allowed him to face riders behind him. "I could see the faces of the others and when I could tell that they were suffering, it gave a me a good feeling."
Nys knew that Boom was very motivated and that the course suited him. Boom mostly rides on the road. "It is a pity for cross," Nys said. But he understands Boom's decision. "I think he can win a big classic one day." Boom dismissed the idea that without the flat tire he could have won. "It was a very nice race and I just enjoyed myself."
Runner up Pauwels had little to say. "Sven was the strongest," Pauwels admitted. Third-placed Vantornout agreed with the assessment and also said that he still felt yesterday's race. "It is apparent that Sven was the strongest. He also recuperates better."
Boom stormed away from the start area like a man possessed. He quickly had a small gap over the peloton, but a slip in a descent midway through lap one allowed Tom Meeusen to catch up. The duo stayed up front with a small gap. In lap two Kevin Pauwels moved up as well. A six-man chase group, including Nys and Albert was five seconds behind.
The groups merged and in lap four, Nys attacked. He put in a five-second gap midway through the race. Pauwels was chasing hard. Boom had a bad spell, but by lap six had caught with Pauwels again. They were around ten seconds behind Nys.
Boom and Pauwels came closer, cutting the gap to Nys to five seconds with two laps to go. But in lap seven, Nys accelerated again and was away for good. Boom dropped back with a flat front tire. Pauwels also lost ground, entering the last lap with a 20-second deficit.
Results
1. Sven Nys
2. Kevin Pauwels
3. Klaas Vantornout
4. Bart Aernouts
5. Tom Meeusen
6. Dieter Vanthourenhout
7. Lars Boom