Tactics turn tide for Al in Zolder

Thijs Al in the setting sun

Thijs Al in the setting sun (Image credit: Cyclingnews.com)

The Flemish crowd at the Formula 1 circuit in Zolder, Belgium, witnessed an unexpected situation in the seventh round of the Cyclo-cross World Cup on Friday when the sport's top names neutralized each other and allowed a breakaway to go clear. Emerging victorious was former mountain biker Thijs Al, who snuck away from his companions on the final lap to nab his first ever World Cup victory over Belgians Kevin Pauwels (Fidea) and Sven Vanthourenhout (Sunweb-Projob).