Not all of the expected cyclo-cross favourites were able to score their national jerseys on the week-end. The hot battles throughout a mildly-tempered Europe turned out some surprising results, for example in Germany and Belgium. Instead of the presumed fight between title holder Johannes Sickmüller and Malte Urban in Auerbach, Germany, on Sunday, Rene Birkenfeld took the honours in a last-minute sprint. Urban was unlucky, as his chain broke in the very first lap.
In the motherland of cyclo-cross, Belgium, the all-dominating Sven Nys had some trouble on the muddy course and his greatest rival, Bart Wellens, finally got the better of him and re-claimed the jersey he wore in 2004 - mostly because of his good running skills.
