Dutch cyclo-cross riders party in Rosmalen

With two winners from home – Mathieu van der Poel in men's and women's Annemarie Worst and even a full "Oranje podium" – the European Cyclocross Championship in Rosmalen was played Sunday at 39, a Dutch holiday.

der Poel, last year at the European Championship, also the strongest of the Czech Tabor, extended his European title with a great show of strength. The 23-year-old cyclocross moved away from the competition very early and almost only raced the entire race. At 14 seconds, Belgian world champion Wout van Aert finished second ahead of compatriot Laurens Sweeck, who passed the test four seconds later.

Doubts about its form

On the eve of the European Championships, doubts had been expressed as to the form of Van der Poel, after his 21st place at the Koppenbergcross in Oudenaarde last Thursday. "It can happen," said the GP, who seemed to have little trouble.

Van der Poel quickly ended all uncertainty during the race and showed his class as always. In the first of a total of nine laps, Van Aert took a small lead. Van der Poel joined the second lap and was never in danger for the rest of the race. His lead was reduced in the finals, but Van der Poel was not complete. Long before the finish, he shook hands with spectators along the course.

"Before Koppenbergcross, I did not rest easily", which is why he looked at the NSA after his outage in Oudenaarde. "After that, I did not ride a bike for two days, I'm glad it happened there, instead of here" At the Rosmalen autotron, Van der Poel was greeted by thousands fans in delirium. "When you see how much there is man on the leg, it can not be better for the Netherlands."

While two Belgians were on the podium with the men, the Dutch domination was complete at this European Championship. Annemarie Worst won the European title and was accompanied on the podium by compatriots Marianne Vos (second) and Denise Betsema. Defender of the Belgian title Sanne Cant had to settle for a fourth place.

Worst, who once was world champion of the promises, won this year earlier this year at Gieten, Superprestige. "Everything had to go well, but I knew I could do it," she told NOS. "I made the difference by turning and turning." On long straight lines, I can not do that "

Vos, European champion of 2005 and 2009, made a moderate impression at the start of the race. "I could not do much more than trying to save what could be saved."