After last weeks last-lap slug-fest between Niels Albert and Zdenk Stybar, the final race of the year took a decidedly different tone as Bart Wellens rode solo for eight laps to pick up the win. Wellens’ victory is his first major win since 2008. Behind, the rest of the top-ten came in within ten-seconds of each other. The bulk of the pressure was on Sven Nys as he tried to wrap up the GVA Trophy overall. However, Nys took the smarter route allowing others to battle it out while he settled for sixth and picked up his sixth-straight GVA Trophy. In front of Nys, Zdenk Stybar and Kevin Pauwels rouded out the podium, making it a Telenet-Fidea sweep. Meanwhile, cousins Sven and Dieter Vanthourenhout rounded out the top-five.
Besides Wellens win, the bulk of the surprises in Oostmalle were failures, rather than successes. Niels Albert failed to clip in and ended up being the last rider out of the starting grid. That, combined with saddle issues, left the former World Champion in tenth. After last weeks great performance, American Jonathan Page served as pack fodder, finishing 21st. Both riders are looking forward to next season after their up and down year. All in all, it’s been a great season of racing and Bart Wellens dramatic solo victory echoed that fact.
Clearly, Wellens moves up a few notches, but is he number one? Time to find out:
- Zdenk Stybar (1) – Stybar rolled across the line nearly one-minute behind Wellens, beating Pauwels in a two-up sprint. The World Champion had no real chance of taking the GVA overall away from Nys, but did secure second place in the series. It’s been a phenomenal season for the 25 year-old, and next year promises to be even better. Although he finished second on Sunday, he’s still the top rider in the world.
- Bart Wellens (5) – Wellens has slowly climbed his way back into the rankings over the past few weeks. His victory on Sunday launches him into the number two spot after an insane solo effort. Wellens last major victory was round three of the GVA Trophy in November of 2008. He’s had a rough season, but ended it in the best way possible. Perhaps the four-time world champ can find more success next year.
- Kevin Pauwels (8) – The World Cup round in Zolder was Pauwels biggest win of his young career. Since then, he’s had some ups and downs, but he’s still one of the top-five riders in the world right now. I predicted big things for the young Belgian and he has delivered. Next year could be his best season ever and ended this year with a third is a good way to keep that momentum rolling.
- Sven Nys (3) – For the first time since the 2003/04 season, Sven Nys has only managed to win two major titles (Belgian National Champion and GVA Trophy). Many would consider that a success, but for the superstar of cross it’s been a disappointing season. He has committed to racing through 2013, so he has a few more years to regain his seat at the top. The real question is whether this year was the changing of the guard, or just a bad year. We’ll have to wait until September to find out.
- Dieter Vanthourenhout (4) – Dieter is one of a handful of riders who has found post-worlds success. His season was marred by a nasty crash, but he has bounced back nicely. It will be interesting to see if the 25 year-old can take the next step next year, or if he’ll remain chase group material.
- Sven Vanthourenhout (na) – Sven chose to ride a smaller schedule this year, focusing primarily on the World Cups. Unfortunately, he’s struggled a bit at the bigger races and has rarely finished inside the top-ten. He will most likely change his program a bit next year and would love to get back on the Belgian worlds team. His fourth on Sunday was his second best result of the year, so he has a lot of ground to cover next year.
- Gerben de Knegt (na) – With Vervecken’s retirement on Sunday, de Knegt becomes the elder statements of the cross racers. His eighth on Sunday was a bit further back than I expected, but is still a great result. He had a solid season and perhaps has found some sort of form in those 35 year-old legs. Next year will be very interesting to see if de Knegt is here to stay, or if he will fade back into the field.
- Bart Aernouts (na) – Aernouts has been real quiet over the past month or so, but polled out a top-ten in Oostmalle on Sunday. Aernouts struggled to stick with the leaders all season and is still trying to figure out how he can ride with the big boys of cross. Perhaps next year, he’ll put it all together.
- Niels Albert (2) – Albert never really had a chance after a horrific start and late race bike change. He managed to hold on to tenth, but is already focused on next year, where he hopes a “different Niels Albert” will show up. Hopefully he can figure out how to race a full season next year.
- Klass Vantornout (7) – Vantornout was in prime position for a podium spot coming into the final few laps on Sunday. However, a bizarre crash with Zdenk Stybar launched the Belgian off his bike and into a pole. Vantornout is okay, and his strong season keeps him inside the top-ten despite the crash and DNF. Vantornout has finally figured out how to play with the big boys and I expect that he’ll pick up a few major victories next year.
Dropped this week: Radomir Simunek (6), Mariusz Gil (9) and Jonathan Page (10).
It’s been another excellent cross season. Each year, the action gets better and the season goes longer. Next year is no exception as the season will kick off on September 11th in the US. The European season will start on the 19th. Oostmalle will once again host the final round of the GVA Trophy and the last races of the year on February 20, 2011. After this year, I can’t wait for things to get started.
