Nys wins Hondsrug Classic on a 'cross bike

Cyclo-cross rider Sven Nys won the Netherlands' Hondsrug Classic last weekend. Nys often participates and excels at mountain bike racing; however, his win this time was noteworthy because he accomplished it on a 'cross bike. He finished ahead of Peter Riis Andersen (who was riding on a normal mountain bike). In third and fourth came two more racers on cyclo-cross bikes: Gerben de Knegt and Thijs Al.

The discussion of what bikes for what races is a recurring one in the "lower" countries like The Netherlands. In the UCI's regulations, only three lines are devoted to what is a mountain bike. Often the discussion is about wheel-size (limited to no larger than 29 inches) and since it's not otherwise prohibited, racers are allowed to compete in mountain bike races on 'cross bikes.

"You can't blame the cyclo-cross riders; they are entitled to use their bikes and since it is allowed by the UCI there is simply nothing we can do then just sit, wait and watch!" said managers from Team Dolphin. "The only thing that could be done is the organizer specifying which bikes a rider may use, but that's not up to us."