U23 World Champion Van der Haar shows his stripes in Vegas
Dutch youngster outshines Peeters, Heule in sprint
In spite of a stacked field of top senior talent, reigning under-23 world cyclo-cross champion Lars van der Haar gave Rabobank-Giant the victory in CrossVegas, taking a photo-finish sprint from Christian Heule (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld) and Rob Peeters (Telenet-Fidea).
"It was amazing, I could not see the line so I wasn't sure I won." said van der Haar, who was happy the race came back together in the final lap for a 9-rider sprint. "I have a strong explosive sprint, and it's hard to get away here because the grass is so heavy and in the wind, it's amazing - last year I was 8th place and this year first, it's a big win."
Van der Haar underscored the importance of the race for his bike sponsor Giant, which had a large presence at the course, and for getting UCI points ahead of his European competitors who won't race until the end of this month.
The 20-year-old Dutch talent bided his time as the top names like two-time world champion Bart Wellens (Telenet-Fidea), Jeremy Powers (Rapha-Focus) and Ryan Trebon (LTS-Felt) whittled down the race to 10 riders in the closing laps of the hour-long race. While most of the other riders put in attacks, Van der Haar was content to sit back and hope the race stayed together so he could unleash his powerful sprint.
"I don't think I'm the strongest guy here, I'm young and I don't have the power these guys have, so I really have to follow them," Van der Haar told Cyclingnews. "I was dying ten times a lap out there, I had a really rough race. But at the end, on the last lap it came together again, and I started my sprint and in the last 50m they died and I could get past them."
After an action-packed first half of the race, where the composition at the front of the race changed constantly, an elite group of 10 formed at the head of the race to battle out the remaining laps.
Jamey Driscoll (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld) put in the night's first serious attack, gaining a 10 second lead with three laps to go.
The group containing Bart Aernouts (Rabobank-Giant), Van der Haar, Heule, Powers, Johnson, Trebon, Wells, Wellens and Peeters kept Driscoll at a steady gap until Wellens hit out on the next lap and made his way across to Driscoll.
The American quickly faded while Wellens pushed on, holding off the chase for nearly two full laps before surrendering to the last lap surges of first Powers then Trebon and fading back.
Wellens showed that the spark which netted him two world titles during his career is back after a difficult few years, plagued with injury and lacking in top victories. His attack was only nullified by the concerted efforts of Powers and Trebon in the final lap.
"It was a little bit of a gamble," Wellens said of his move. "It was waiting, waiting or going for the attack, and I choose the attack. I came with Driscoll and I thought with two we are stronger than alone, but he was not good enough so I go alone with still three laps. It was long - half a lap too long."
"We played the team play," said Peeters. "It looked good for Bart, but in the last lap we took him back, and then it was my turn to jump. It all went good, but I missed it in the sprint. I am going to think about this moment for a long time."
Peeters launched his counter-attack heading into the final 500m, but had used too much and gained too little ground at final turn, and it was Van der Haar who had enough left to dash up the hill and steal the win in the sprint, leaving Heule and Peeters to learn who was runner-up after a photo finish decision.
Peeters collapsed onto the grass after the finish and stayed down, trying to catch his breath and overcome his disappointment for the loss for a good few minutes.
"I was totally a bloc and couldn't turn my gear, so at the finish they jumped over me. I am disappointed I lost the victory, but I'm glad I have the good form. It's a mixed feeling," Peeters said. "I know my sprint is not so good and I'm going to work on it. It cost me the victory."
1 | Lars van der Haar (Ned) Rabobank-Giant | 0:59:04 |
2 | Christian Heule (Swi) Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld | Row 1 - Cell 2 |
3 | Rob Peeters (Bel) Telenet-Fidea | Row 2 - Cell 2 |
4 | Jeremy Powers (USA) Team Rapha-Focus | Row 3 - Cell 2 |
5 | Ryan Trebon (USA) LTS-Felt | Row 4 - Cell 2 |
6 | Bart Aernouts (Bel) Rabobank-Giant | Row 5 - Cell 2 |
7 | Timothy Johnson (USA) Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld | Row 6 - Cell 2 |
8 | Bart Wellens (Bel) Telenet-Fidea | 0:00:19 |
9 | James Driscoll (USA) Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld | 0:00:21 |
10 | Todd Wells (USA) Specialized Racing | 0:01:34 |
11 | Zach McDonald (USA) Team Rapha-Focus | 0:01:39 |
12 | Ben Berden (Bel) Stoemper | Row 11 - Cell 2 |
13 | Geoff Kabush (Can) Maxxis-Rocky Mountain | 0:01:52 |
14 | Jonathan Page (USA) Planetbike-Blue | 0:02:03 |
15 | Aaron Schooler (Can) Team H&R Block | 0:02:07 |
16 | Yannick Eckmann (Ger) Pearlizumi-Shimano-Focus | 0:02:17 |
17 | Alex Howes (USA) Chipotle Development Team | 0:02:41 |
18 | Allen Krughoff (USA) Boulder Cycle Sport | Row 17 - Cell 2 |
19 | Fabio Ursi (Ita) C.S.Esercito | 0:02:50 |
20 | Justin Lindine (USA) Bikereg.com-Joe's Garage | 0:02:52 |
21 | Tim Van Nuffel (Bel) DCM-GB Vorselaar | 0:03:02 |
22 | Travis Livermon (USA) SmartStop-Mock Orange Bikes p/b Ridley | 0:03:42 |
23 | Ryan Knapp (USA) Bob's Red Mill Cyclocross | 0:03:46 |
24 | Mitchell Hoke (USA) Team Clif Bar | 0:03:47 |
25 | Craig Richey (Can) Renner Custom - Raleigh | 0:03:54 |
26 | Russell Stevenson (USA) Raleigh | 0:03:58 |
27 | Bernard Van Ulden (USA) Jelly Belly p/b Kenda | 0:04:10 |
28 | Sean Babcock (USA) Kona | 0:04:27 |
29 | Cody Kaiser (USA) California Giant-Specialized | 0:04:43 |
30 | Adam Myerson (USA) SmartStop-Mock Orange Bikes p/b Ridley | 0:04:44 |
31 | Ken Benesh (USA) Feedback Sports | 0:04:46 |
32 | Brandon Dwight (USA) Boulder Cycle Sport | 0:04:50 |
33 | Daniel Summerhill (USA) Garmin-Cervelo | 0:04:51 |
34 | Bryan Fawley (USA) Orbea Factory-Dallas Bike Works | 0:04:54 |
35 | Joseph Schmalz (USA) KCCX-Fuji p/b Challenge Tires | 0:05:00 |
36 | Jake Wells (USA) Notubes Elite Cyclocross Team | 0:05:01 |
37 | Tim Allen (USA) Feedback Sports | Row 36 - Cell 2 |
38 | Andrew Reardon (USA) Bob's Red Mill Cyclocross | Row 37 - Cell 2 |
39 | Barry Wicks (USA) Kona | 0:05:16 |
40 | Kevin Fish (USA) KCCX-Fuji p/b Challenge Tires | 0:05:23 |
41 | Spencer Powlison (USA) Plains To Peaks Racing | 0:05:42 |
42 | Russell Harding (USA) Natural Grocers Cycling Team | Row 41 - Cell 2 |
43 | Nicholas Weighall (USA) California Giant-Specialized | 0:05:55 |
44 | John Behrens (USA) Bailey Bikes | Row 43 - Cell 2 |
45 | Brennan Wodtli (USA) Hutch's Bicycles | 0:06:04 |
46 | Robin Eckmann (USA) Pearl Izumi-Shimano Team | 0:06:29 |
47 | John Bailey (USA) Bailey Bikes | 0:06:35 |
48 | Mathew Ankney (USA) KCCX-Fuji p/b Challenge Tires | 0:06:40 |
49 | Mitchell Kersting (USA) Bob's Red Mill Cyclocross | 0:06:42 |
50 | Jerome Townsend (USA) SmartStop-Mock Orange Bikes p/b Ridley | 0:09:11 |
51 | Molly Cameron (USA) Metafilter | 0:10:06 |
52 | Aaron Bradford (USA) Rocklobster | 0:11:04 |
53 | Ryan Dewald (USA) XO - Battley Harley-Davidson | Row 52 - Cell 2 |
54 | Blake Anton (USA) Team Clif Bar Cycling | Row 53 - Cell 2 |
55 | Joachim Parbo (Den) Challenge Tires | Row 54 - Cell 2 |
56 | Chris Mackay (USA) Realcyclist.com | Row 55 - Cell 2 |
57 | Luke Keough (USA) Champion System p/b Keough Cyclocross | Row 56 - Cell 2 |
58 | Troy Wells (USA) Team Clif Bar | Row 57 - Cell 2 |
59 | Braden Kappius (USA) Clif Bar | Row 58 - Cell 2 |
60 | Justin Robinson (USA) California Giant-Specialized | Row 59 - Cell 2 |
61 | Grant Holicky (USA) | Row 60 - Cell 2 |
62 | William Iaia (USA) Groove Subaru | Row 61 - Cell 2 |
63 | Stephen Cummings (USA) C3 Athletes Serving Athletes | Row 62 - Cell 2 |
64 | Scott Chapin (USA) Bay101-HRS-Rocklobster | Row 63 - Cell 2 |
65 | Shadd Smith (USA) KCCX-Fuji p/b Challenge Tires | Row 64 - Cell 2 |
66 | Johannes Huseby (USA) | Row 65 - Cell 2 |
67 | Ken Hanson (USA) Jelly Belly p/b Kenda | Row 66 - Cell 2 |
68 | Brad Cole (USA) KCCX-Fuji p/b Challenge Tires | Row 67 - Cell 2 |
69 | David Sheek (USA) SDG-Felt p/b IRT | Row 68 - Cell 2 |
70 | Kenny Wehn (USA) Notubes Race Team | Row 69 - Cell 2 |
71 | Eric Colton (USA) The Team-Socalcross | Row 70 - Cell 2 |
72 | Ryan Padilla (USA) Boulder Cycle Sport | Row 71 - Cell 2 |
73 | Collin Samaan (USA) The Bicycle Business TBB | Row 72 - Cell 2 |
74 | Bryan Mickiewicz (USA) Hammer Nutrition | Row 73 - Cell 2 |
75 | Jesse Keough (USA) Champion System p/b Keough Cyclocross | Row 74 - Cell 2 |
76 | Aaron Bouplon (USA) Rocky Mounts-Izze | Row 75 - Cell 2 |
77 | Patrick Bradley (USA) Philadelphia Cyclocross School | Row 76 - Cell 2 |
78 | Jason Siegle (USA) SDG-Felt p/b IRT | Row 77 - Cell 2 |
79 | David McNeal (USA) Birmingham Bicycle Company | Row 78 - Cell 2 |
80 | Bjorn Fox (USA) Clif Bar Development Cross Team | Row 79 - Cell 2 |
81 | Phil Grove (USA) Hammer Nutrition | Row 80 - Cell 2 |
82 | Joshua Whitmore (USA) Globalbike Elite Team | Row 81 - Cell 2 |
83 | Mitchell Trux (USA) Team Off The Couch | Row 82 - Cell 2 |
84 | Jay Kwan (USA) The Team-Socalcross | Row 83 - Cell 2 |
85 | Chris Johnson (USA) Continuum Cycles | Row 84 - Cell 2 |
86 | Spencer Haugh (USA) Behind Bars-LGR | Row 85 - Cell 2 |
87 | Bill Marshall (USA) KCCX-Fuji p/b Challenge Tires | Row 86 - Cell 2 |
88 | JP Partland (USA) Kissena Cycling Club | Row 87 - Cell 2 |
89 | Rocco Calgiano (USA) Boulder Cycle Sport | Row 88 - Cell 2 |
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Laura Weislo has been with Cyclingnews since 2006 after making a switch from a career in science. As Managing Editor, she coordinates coverage for North American events and global news. As former elite-level road racer who dabbled in cyclo-cross and track, Laura has a passion for all three disciplines. When not working she likes to go camping and explore lesser traveled roads, paths and gravel tracks. Laura specialises in covering doping, anti-doping, UCI governance and performing data analysis.
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