Highlights from the 4th leg of the 2011/12 Patrick UCI Cyclo Cross World Cup in Igorre / Spain

Super-consistent Kevin Pauwels (Sunweb -- Revor) captured his second World Cup victory of the season in Igorre, Spain, during the fourth round of the 2011-2012 Patrick UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup.


Pauwels strengthens his overall lead in the Elite Men category of the World Cup in front of Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet) who was runner-up in the Basque Country. Young rider Tom Meeusen (Telenet -- Fidea) completed the Belgian podium on Sunday.


The first laps on the more or less dry course in cloudy Igorre were dominated by Belgian rider Rob Peeters (Telenet -- Fidea), Italian rider Enrico Franzoi (Selle Italia Guerciotti) and Czech rider Radomir Simunek (BKCP -- Powerplus). However, while the three early leaders searched for their second breath, Sven Nys hammered through. During the third lap he blew the front of the race apart and gathered a lead of 13s on the main chase group, which included World Cup leader Pauwels. Although Pauwels could not immediately find the space to close the gap, he moved up a gear a lap later, with reigning World Champion Zdenek Stybar (Quickstep Cycling Team) on his wheel. Pauwels bridged up to Nys in half a lap, but Stybar (CZE) lost touch with Pauwels, failing to close the final gap on the Belgian duo in front.