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Boom takes World Cup race in France

By Staff and wire reports
Published: Jan. 13, 2008
The Dutch national champion says he's primed for world's
The Dutch national champion says he's primed for world's
Photo: Agence France Presse (File Photo)

Dutchman Lars Boom (Rabobank) won the seventh and penultimate round of the UCI World Cup of cyclocross on Sunday, scoring his second win of this year’s series in a race in Léivin, France.

Last year’s winner of the world under-23 cyclo-cross and road championships has enjoyed a solid year in his first year in the elite ranks, winning a World Cup round in Pijnacker, in the Netherlands, in November.

Boom said the win puts him in solid position for a podium spot at the world’s in Treviso, Italy, later in the month.

The world’s No. 1 cyclocross racer and World Cup leader Sven Nys, a teammate of Boom’s, finished a disappointing eighth.

The day’s early leader was Frenchman Francis Mourey who, enjoying home-field advantage, appeared to be the man to beat on Sunday. The Francaise des Jeux rider rode strongly until a crash on the last lap, opening the door for Boom and former world champion Bart Wellens to fight it out for the top spot at the finish.

Mourey came across the line in third place at 47 seconds. Reigning world champion Erwin Vervecken took fourth, while France’s John Gadret rounded out the top five.

Nys, who continues to lead the overall standings in the nine-race World Cup series, finished at 1:56 in eighth.

“I just didn’t have the legs,” said Nys. “"After winning the Belgian championship title won eight days ago, I competed in two races before this week, just to meet obligations to sponsors. Whatever the reason, I just didn’t have the snap when I needed to accelerate. It happens.”

American Jonathan Page finished in 13th place at 2:12, the top North American finisher for the day.

The final World Cup event is scheduled for Sunday, January 20, in Hoogerheide, in the Netherlands. The following week, the field will be in Treviso, Italy, for the world championship.