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Thijs Al wins Zolder cyclocross world cup
Dutchman Thijs Al (Be One) won the cyclocross world cup in Friday in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium, prevailing over Belgians Kevin Pauwels and Sven Vanthourenhout. The top American male was Jamey Driscoll in 26th, followed closely by new U.S. champion Ryan Trebon in 27th.
American national champ Katie Compton (Spike) was fourth. Compton won the Nommay, France, world cup, but her husband Mark Legg said she had bad legs Friday.
"On the race day the legs didn't feel good and she couldn't open it on on the road or fast pedaling sections," Legg said.
"With three laps to go Katie lost her front brake and had to use her rear brake only," Legg said. "I still have to take a look at the bike and see if it was a technical problem or I misadjusted something ... The pit lane was very fast so Katie didn't want to take a bike change forcing her to chase back to the field."
Starting the next to last lap Compton and world champion Hanka Kupfernagel had a five-second lead over Marianne Vos, Daphney van den Brand and Maryline Salvetat. However the two did not cooperate and the group of five came back together on the last lap.
Compton opened the sprint but Vos was in third position and handily took the sprint from Kupfernagel and Van den Brand, with Compton fourth.
"We're disappointed with the result but with bad legs we're happy we finished with Katie at the head of the field on this very fast course," Legg said.
U23 and Junior Men
Zach McDonald was the top American in the Junior mens race, in sixth. He was one of five American juniors who finished the race. In the men's U23 race, Danny Summerhill was the top American in 15th.
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