Rabobank’s Sven Nijs outrode a strong group of the world’s best to win the third round of the Superprestige cyclo-cross series in Asper-Gavere, Belgium on Sunday. Nijs beat countryman Tom Vannoppen and Dutch champion Richard Groenendaal.

Nijs powered through a tough course in Gavere as a member of a six-man lead group made up of five Belgians -- Nijs, Vannoppen, Bart Wellens, Mario Declercq and world champion Erwin Vervecken – as well as the Netherland’s Groenendaal. Nijs took advantage of his superior handling skills in the course’s technical sections and gradually built a small, but decisive lead. Vannoppen tried to hold the young Belgian champion’s wheel, but soon faded back.

Nijs’s win gave him an eleven-point lead in the overall Superprestige standings over fellow Belgian Bart Wellens.

copyright AFP2001