Nys sends warning shot in Milan

By Peter Hymas

Sven Nys won the final round of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup in Milan with an emphatic sprint victory over Lars Boom and Zdenek Stybar, sending a message to his competitors with his victory in Milan that he's on form to win a world championship in one week's time.

On a fast, dry circuit in Italy, a large group of contenders were still in contention on the final lap. A group of six, including Niels Albert, Sven Vanthourenhout and Bart Wellens in addition to Nys, Boom and Stybar, contested the final sprint, having separated themselves from a larger leading group of 10 that emerged half way through the event. Boom led Nys through the last corner onto the short finishing stretch but Nys powered his way around the world champion in the closing meters.

Nys had already clinched the World Cup title at the previous weekend's race in Roubaix, France, so there were no changes at the top of the overall standings. A trio of Fidea Cycling team riders, Bart Wellens, Zdenek Stybar and Kevin Pauwels, finished second through fourth overall while Lars Boom moved into fifth overall with his second place finish in Milan.