01.28.12 - PATRY TOP CANADIAN AT 2012 UCI CYCLO-CROSS CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Cyclo-cross racing at its best as Netherlands and Belgium takes control of podium

(Koksijde, BEL – January 28, 2012) The 2012 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships opened today with the presentation of the Junior and Espoir races in Koksijde, Belgium as the best cyclo-cross gathered to race the challenging and sandy course. Over tens of thousands cycling fans gathered to cheer the cyclists in the gruelling race, in a country that dominates the sport of cyclo-cross.

Yohan Patry, the defending Canadian Champion, was the Top Canadian in the men’s junior race, finishing in 40th position. “I'm a little disappointed, I was hoping for a Top 30 finish. I felt good at the start, but as the race went on I started to feel worse. I had a really good season and I'm proud of it. But doing well at here at the cyclo-cross Worlds Championships was a main goal. Overall I did gain a lot of experience racing cross Worlds twice and Road worlds. So I'm going into my last road season as a junior with a lot of experience.”

Samuel Beaudin finished in 50th position: “The course was very hard, and transitioning from the sand sections was definitely a challenge. I gained a lot of experience and hope to come back to the Cyclo-cross Worlds next year."

Mathieu Van Der Poel of the Netherlands took the World Championship title, finishing the course is 43:36, showing an eighth second lead over second place and silver medallist Wout Van Aert of Belgium. In third place came Quentin Jauregui of France won the bronze medal in a three-way sprint for the last medal.

In the Espoirs (U23) race, Canada’s Félix Côté-Bouvette was the lone Canadian in the race, and came in 46th position. “It was a hard, definitely the hardest course I had ever ridden. I felt good, probably started a little bit too fast. It was a good learning experience and it will help me for the future. The crowd was huge and it is motivating to have that many people cheering you on.”

At the end of the day, Lars Van Den Haar of Netherlands won the U23 race, posting a time of 49m20s. Van Den Haar fought a hard battle to the finish line, Wietse Bosmans of Belgium in second and Netherlands teammate Michiel Van Der Heijden in third.

The 2012 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships continues tomorrow with the presentation of both the Men’s and Women’s Elite races.