Description
November 11, 2022
Superprestige 2023 – Niel
Organised by Flanders Classics, the Telenet Superprestige series comprises of eight rounds, all of which are held in Belgium. Points are awarded to the first 15 finishers of each race,
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November 11, 2022
Superprestige 2023 – Niel
Organised by Flanders Classics, the Telenet Superprestige series comprises of eight rounds, all of which are held in Belgium. Points are awarded to the first 15 finishers of each race, with 15 points awarded to the race winner and in descending order from there on. After the eighth and final round of the series, the overall winners of both the elite men’s and elite women’s categories are decided by which rider has accumulated the most points throughout the series.
Laurens Sweeck (Crelan-Firstads) secured the win in the elite men’s Superprestige Niel – Jaarmarketcross after a battle with Lars van der Haar (Baloise Trek Lions).
Sweeck made his winning move through the sandpit on the last lap and crossed the line with three seconds to spare, forcing van der Haar to settle for second place.
Newly crowned European Champion Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) finished in third place at 35 seconds back.
It was his second win of the season after a victory at the World Cup Maasmechelen, and his eighth podium performance on the international cyclocross stage this year.
“They often tell me to keep calm in training. Maybe I should agree with them now,” said Sweeck, who had suffered symptoms of a head cold and didn’t train for two days during the week.
“I was sick, but maybe it helped. I was at my limit. Otherwise, I won’t let Lars come back. I think I’m going to focus completely on the Superprestige and the World Cup now.”
A group of 11 riders emerged on the opening lap of what turned out to be a fast circuit in Niel. Eli Iserbyt and Vanthourenhout opened a gap, but both van der Haar and Sweeck soon reconnected with them out front.
Sweeck used the sandpit to gain on his rivals, but van der Haar was able to join him in what turned into a two-man battle for the win as Iserbyt made some technical errors.
Sweeck proved, yet again, strongest through the sand on the last lap, and van der Haar wasn’t strong enough to close the gap before the finish line.
“I knew that Laurens was very strong in the sandbox. It just didn’t work out today,” van der Haar said.
Results :
 secured the win in the elite men’s Superprestige Niel - Jaarmarketcross after a battle with Lars van der Haar (Baloise Trek Lions).
Sweeck made his winning move through the sandpit on the last lap and crossed the line with three seconds to spare, forcing van der Haar to settle for second place.
Newly crowned European Champion Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) finished in third place at 35 seconds back.
It was his second win of the season after a victory at the World Cup Maasmechelen, and his eighth podium performance on the international cyclocross stage this year.
"They often tell me to keep calm in training. Maybe I should agree with them now," said Sweeck, who had suffered symptoms of a head cold and didn't train for two days during the week.
"I was sick, but maybe it helped. I was at my limit. Otherwise, I won't let Lars come back. I think I'm going to focus completely on the Superprestige and the World Cup now."
A group of 11 riders emerged on the opening lap of what turned out to be a fast circuit in Niel. Eli Iserbyt and Vanthourenhout opened a gap, but both van der Haar and Sweeck soon reconnected with them out front.
Sweeck used the sandpit to gain on his rivals, but van der Haar was able to join him in what turned into a two-man battle for the win as Iserbyt made some technical errors.
Sweeck proved, yet again, strongest through the sand on the last lap, and van der Haar wasn't strong enough to close the gap before the finish line.
"I knew that Laurens was very strong in the sandbox. It just didn't work out today," van der Haar said.
<strong>Results : </strong>
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