The third round in the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup in the dunes of Koksijde, Belgium proved to be the perfect setting for experienced riders Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet-Euphony) and Katherine Compton (Trek Cyclocross Collective) to show the best of their skills. While the rain tortured the riders' backs Nys gapped world champion Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus) in the final lap in great style. Albert remains leader in the World Cup standings. Compton from her side completed a long solo ride in the Women's race and strengthens her World Cup lead.
The first race of the day in Koksijde was held for the Junior Men category with some light rain showers coming down. Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands) continued his domination and seems untouchable. His first lap in the race was the fastest in all race categories on Saturday. Van der Poel grabbed his third win in three World Cup rounds. Little later the riders in the Men Under 23 category rode their race while more rain came down in Koksijde. Wietse Bosmans (Belgium) sprinted faster than Michiel van der Heijden (Netherlands), stopping the strong comeback race from the Dutchman.
In the afternoon Katherine Compton stormed away halfway the first lap in the Women's category. Before that British riders Helen Wyman (Kona), Nikki Harris (Young Telenet-Fidea Cycling Team) and Belgian champion Sanne Cant (Veldritacademie Enertherm-BKCP) pulled in front of the pack. They all faded when Compton unleashed her power on the tough sand course in Koksijde. Compton steadily increased her lead over Harris and eventually finished with a lead of 1:27 over her. In the battle for third place Cant overtook French rider Lucie Chainel-Lefevre (BH-SR Suntour-Peisey Vallandry) in the final lap. Wyman finished fifth ahead of Sanne van Paassen (Rabobank Women Cycling Team).
In the Elite Men category favourites Nys and Albert waited a long time to come to the front. The Belgian duo didn't have a great start and they were waiting for a chance to move up, riding outside the top-10 during the first laps. An acceleration from Bart Aernouts (AA Drink-Leontien.nl Cycling Team) with Klaas Vantornout (Sunweb-Revor) in the second lap created a first selection. During the following lap both Albert and Nys were part of the nine riders who joined the lead group. When approaching the halfway point of the race Albert moved to the front together with French rider Francis Mourey (FDJ-Big Mat) and Aernouts. Nys needed more time to move up and Albert profited to accelerate one more time. The world champion rode alone in front while Nys bridged up and then left Aernouts and Mourey behind. Albert could not keep Nys at distance and together the duo seemed to head for a sprint. Things turned around when Nys managed to ride over a dune where Albert set foot on the ground. Nys won by 14s over Albert. Mourey joined the Belgians on the podium with a strong third place at 19s from Nys. Keving Pauwels (Sunweb-Revor), the former co-leader in the World Cup standings, only managed a twelfth place and tumbles to fourth place in the standings.
