UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup: Pauwels and Vos claim their first wins of the season


The French round of the Patrick UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup in Pont-Château on Sunday resulted in wins for Kevin Pauwels (Telenet-Fidea) and Marianne Vos (Nederland Bloeit). Going into the last round of the World Cup Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus) and Sanne van Paassen (NED) enjoy a comfortable lead in the overall rankings.


Men Elite: First big victory of the season for Pauwels


Pauwels and Albert distanced the rest of the field during the fourth of eleven laps yesterday, maintaining their lead until they hit the final lap. The duo stormed side-by-side to the final corner that led to the finishing straight. Albert was forced to take the outside of the corner and lost speed when trying to stay away from the fence. Pauwels easily won the sprint and thus grabbed his biggest win of the season. Albert's second place offers him a comfortable position to defend his lead in the final round of the World Cup in Hoogerheide (NED) next week. Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet) emerged first out of a large chase group and his third place resulted in an entirely Belgian podium in France. Local rider Steve Chainel (FDJ) narrowly missed out on the podium, taking fourth place.