Cycling World Championships: Elite
2:30 PM Tabor
The Tabor Cycling World Championships had a logical race route and the expected winner: Mathieu van der Poel (29) added a sixth world title to his list of honours. The Dutch favorite chose deeper water after more than 4 minutes. Joris Nieuwenhuis came in second, and Michael Vanthornhout scored the Belgian bronze medal.
The million dollar question: when Mathieu van der Poel starts his solo career?
A fearless Nils Vandepute stayed glued to the Dutch favorite's leg like a guard dog in the opening stage.
After about 4 minutes the bear was released: Van der Poel accelerated out of sight of the cameras. Only Joris Nieuwenhuis was able to keep the Flying Dutchman in sight for a while.
The Belgians were quickly doomed to the battle for the bronze medal.
Vanthornhout first had to clean his toes to keep up with Ronhaar (the candidate for the third orange medal). With his technical skills, he was able to defeat the Dutchman in time.
For a moment, Vanthornhout seemed to be secretly dreaming of a silver tan. But the gap in Nieuwenhuis was too deep.
A doomsday scenario was avoided without a Belgian on the podium.
Nieuwenhuis (2nd): “I was driving too fast because of the adrenaline”
Joris Nieuwenhuis stayed 10 seconds away from Mathieu van der Poel for a long time. But suddenly his feather broke.
“I told myself before the start that I shouldn't get too excited. Because then you could reach a dead end.”
“But in those first few rounds of the World Cup, you're filled with adrenaline, and you dug in a little bit.”
In the second half of the match Nieuwenhuis almost feared for second place. “After 3 rounds, I had a really tough time. But luckily I got through it.”
Nieuwenhuis is one of the finds of the season. “I am especially happy that I was able to ride consistently throughout a whole season and reach the championship,” concludes the Vice World Champion.
Related:
Stage after stage
Final stage of the World Cup: Van der Poel becomes world champion, Vanthornhout gives Belgium the bronze medal
Bronze to Vanthornhout
The Belgians can console themselves with a bronze medal from Michael Vanthornhout. Runhar comes in fourth place, and Iserbit is close to the top five.
Van der Poel celebrates at the end… with his finger pointing at the bike
Maestro Matteo!
The sixth world title has been won for glutton Matteo van der Poel! The field maestro had already started flying after 4 minutes.
Nieuwenhuis completes the orange one-two punch.
9 Belgians are in the top 14
The Belgians lead in blocks with 9 in the top 14, but it is the Netherlands that leads the way.
Belgians' positions:
3. Fanthoren wood
5. Izrebit
6. Adams
8. Nice
9. Moisin
11. Wisdom
12. Vandebush
13. Vandeput
14. Sweik
Van der Poel gets a new two-wheeled motorcycle under his litter. Without incident, they are gradually allowed to start having a party at the MVDP camp.
Fanthoren wood
Silver seems a bit ambitious for Michael Vanthornhout. 17 seconds separate him from Nieuwenhuis. Securing bronze now seems to be the message for our countryman.
You never know what could happen in that final round.
Adri van der Poel remains cautious
Status after 5 of 6 rounds
1. Van der Poel (Ned)
2. Neufenhaus (Ned) at 43 inches
3. 55 inch fanthurine wood
4. Runhar (Ned) at 1'12'
5. Izrebit at 1'48″
6. Adams at 2'15″
7. Poros (Tsj)
8. Nice
9. Moisin at 2'28″
10. Orts (spa) at 2:31 minutes
The last round
Mathieu van der Poel races into the final round to huge applause. His lead over first chaser Nieuwenhuis is reassuring: 43 seconds.
Van der Haar from 5 to 18
Van der Haar has pushed the entire dismal series to the back burner.
Vanthourenhout could now smell Nieuwenhuis.
Robin van Gucht
Break the chain for van der Haar
Silver is still possible
Vanthourenhout is quickly closing in on Nieuwenhuis in second place. The difference shrinks to 12 seconds.
Break in the van der Haar series
Iserbyt, Nys and company advance to the top spot, because Van der Haar has the flags. He runs to the equipment center with a broken chain, very sad for Dutch.
Fanthoren wood is ready for the stage
In his quest for a medal, things are looking increasingly rosy for Michael Vanthornhout. Ronhar puts it at 14 seconds.
Will Michael Vanthornhout save Uncle Sven's skin?
Robin van Gucht
Ronhar is cracking? Vanthornhout will be looking for a bronze medal
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