Quick Step rider Maarten Wynants proved to be the fastest of the roadmen in the fun cyclocross race organised by teammate Tom Boonen and director Wilfried Peeters. The event was organised in aid of the charity Move to Improve.
Wynants, Dries Devenyns, Pieter Vanspeybrouck, Wim De Vocht and Boonen made the best start. Boonen dropped back after nearly coming off in the sand and then having problems with his bike. The Belgian road champion then decided to have fun with Spanish teammate Carlos Barredo. Wynants managed to drop the rest and finish alone.
Entertainment was first, and soon proved to be so when Rabobank’s Nick Nuyens was first to come off in the sand. The riders in his around him laughed heartily at the accident and the rider was himself a grinned broadly.
“It was very nice,” said Wynants on Sporza. “It was difficult to follow the course in the sand. Every mistake was immediately punished.”
“It was very difficult,” agreed Tom Boonen. “I’ve boede, sweat and tears left. Whether I will still do this? Maybe. Otherwise we choose next year for a billiards tournament.”
Result
1. Maarten Wynants
2. Jelle Vanendert
3. Dries Devenyns
4. Pieter Vanspeybroeck
5. Wim De Vocht
6. Kevin Hulsmans
7. Jurgen Van den Broeck
8. Roy Sentjens