Sven Nys showed that he is still on form at the end of the cross season when he outsprinted his Belgian rival Niels Albert in Lebbeke today. Bart Aernouts finished third in one of the last races of the cross season, which will end tomorrow with the final GvA race, the Internationale Sluitingsprijs in Oostmalle.
In the end, the strongest survived. “It was a real elimination race,” said Nys to Sporza afterwards. “It was a very difficult cross, the parcours was quite hard.” Albert came from behind to catch up with Nys, but the sprint proved too much. “Niels Albert became still really dangerous in the end, but in the sprint I was able to use my explosiveness,” Nys said.
Nys came within victory of Albert for the season tally. “I deserve this win, my 15th of the season.” Nys said. When asked if he should have taken it easier today because of the GvA race tomorrow, Nys replied “Probably not. It was not bad for me to do something before an important cross.”
Zdenek Stybar had a different tactic, resting instead of racing a day before the final race. But he was the only absentee, with all others attending. Bart Wellens opened the attacks and went solo in lap two. At the halfway point, Nys jumped after Wellens. He was then also caught by Albert and Aernouts.