The riders started at a killer pace. After the first round, a group of 10 men had already formed, including Van der Haar and Corné van Kessel, the only other Dutchman in the field. After Pidcock’s flight, Van Kessel was no longer there, Van der Haar was in a chasing group with the Belgians Eli Iserbyt, Laurens Sweeck and Michael Vanthourenhout and the Frenchman Clément Venturini. On lap six accelerated into lap six and only got Iserbyt in his wheel. The gap to Pidcock fluctuated around half a minute. In the sprint Van der Haar turned out to be the fastest of the two.
Defending champion Mathieu van der Poel was missing in Fayetteville. The Dutchman broke off his cyclocross season after two crosses due to a back injury. His Belgian arch-rival Wout van Aert was also not there in the US. The Belgian, a three-time world champion, preferred to prepare for the road season.
Gold Pieterse with promises
Earlier in the day there was also success for the Dutch promises. Puck Pieterse took gold. The 19-year-old Amersfoortse drove away from her competitors in the final lap, also from the Netherlands. Shirin van Anrooij from Zeeland found a connection again, but was beaten in the sprint. Defending champion Fem van Empel from Sint-Michielsgestel had to settle for bronze this time.
Earlier this weekend Marianne Vos won the cyclo-cross world title for the eighth time. The 34-year-old Brabant, who last conquered the rainbow jersey in 2014, defeated title defender Lucinda Brand in the sprint.
Telesport newsletter
Daily the most important sports news, results, analyzes and interviews.
Invalid email address. Please fill in again.
read here our privacy policy.