Pawel Szczepaniak won the U23 cyclo cross race at the World Championships in Tabor, Czech Republic, ahead of his brother Kacper. The biggest surprise of the day was pre-race favorite Tom Meeusen of Belgium, who ended the day without a medal in fourth place. Frenchman Arnaud Jouffroy prevented an all Polish podium, when he passed Marek Konwa at the end of the race. Konwa had to settle for fifth. Last year’s junior champion, Tijmen Eising, finished in ninth place.
Pawel Szczepaniak was quite pleased with his win one week after his brother won the World Cup in Hoogerheide. “I’m so very happy, I was very strong today in the ice and snow,” he said to cxmagazine after the race.
Meeusen had dominated most races in the U23 category this winter, but not today. Pawel Szczepaniak took the lead early and was joined by his brother Kacper and Konwa. Konwa and Kacper then dropped off, but Szczepaniak arrived 20 seconds after his brother. He was able to finish one second ahead of Jouffroy. Meeusen was 46 seconds behind.
Both the U23 and junior created surprises, so all eyes will be on tomorrow’s men’s and women’s race, to see if similar upsets are possible.
Results
1. Pawel Szczepaniak (Pol), 55’37
2. Kacper Szczepaniak (Pol) at 0’20.
3. Arnaud Jouffroy (Fra) 0’21
4. Tom Meeusen (Bel) 0’46
5. Marek Konwa (Pol) 0’56
6. Arnaud Grand (Swi) 0’58
7. Robert Gavenda (Svk) 1’00
8. Sascha Weber (Ger) 1’09
9. Tijmen Eising (Ned) 1’20
10. Elia Silvestri (Ita) 1’27