World champion back on top

Lars Boom (Rabobank) wins a muddy race

Lars Boom (Rabobank) wins a muddy race (Image credit: Daniel Simms)

The reigning cyclo-cross world champion, Lars Boom, made his return to the top of the sport with two strong performances this past week. After a slow start to the 'cross season which saw the Dutchman barely inside the top ten in the first two World Cups, Boom stormed into November with two second places in Oudenaarde and Veghel-Eerde. He completed his climb to the top in the Pijnacker World Cup, where he took a dramatic duel with Niels Albert.