Koppenbergcross: Verschueren wins duel with De Jong

Belgian Jolien Verschueren delighted the home crowd Tuesday, winning atop the famous Koppenberg cobblestone climb in Oudenaarde. This was her second consecutive victory in the prestigious Koppenbergcross cyclocross race, having won the 2015 edition in convincing fashion.

Top-10 results

• 1. Jolien VERSCHUEREN, (BEL), 48:16
• 2. Thalita DE JONG, (NED), 48:27
• 3. Sophie DE BOER, (NED), 50:00
• 4. Christine MAJERUS, (LUX), 50:11
• 5. Sanne CANT, (BEL), 50:19
• 6. Alicia FRANCK, (BEL), 50:32
• 7. Maud KAPTHEIJNS, (NED), 51:11
• 8. Ellen VAN LOY, (BEL), 51:31
• 9. Nikola NOSKOVA, (CZE), 51:46
• 10. Geerte HOEKE, (NED), 52:20

The race was decided on the final lap of the course, which featured technical, twisting descents and steep climbs. The slightly built Fidea rider attacked world champion Thalita De Jong several times on the grassy pitches. However, De Jong, of the Netherlands, looked to have earned a decisive lead after the final technical descent. Throughout the day, the Rabo – Liv rider was the better of the duo on the downhills.

Undeterred, Verschueren, a school teacher by trade, clawed her way back up to the rainbow jersey on the paved lower section. They rode together up the final climb through the lumpy farm field.

With bouncing shoulders showing her effort, Verschueren’s final gambit was an attack on the long, straight cobblestone section with about 100 meters to go. De Jong could not follow and the Belgian reveled in her victory.

Behind in third, Sophie de Boer (Kalas – NNOF) got the better of a select chase group that included Belgian champion Sanne Cant and Luxembourg champion Christine Majerus.

Koppenbergcross was the second race of the DVV Trofee series. All of the remaining series races will be streamed online for free in the U.S. courtesy of Trek Bikes.

Full results

• 1. Jolien VERSCHUEREN, (BEL), 48:16
• 2. Thalita DE JONG, (NED), 48:27
• 3. Sophie DE BOER, (NED), 50:00
• 4. Christine MAJERUS, (LUX), 50:11
• 5. Sanne CANT, (BEL), 50:19
• 6. Alicia FRANCK, (BEL), 50:32
• 7. Maud KAPTHEIJNS, (NED), 51:11
• 8. Ellen VAN LOY, (BEL), 51:31
• 9. Nikola NOSKOVA, (CZE), 51:46
• 10. Geerte HOEKE, (NED), 52:20
• 11. Pavla HAVLIKOVA, (CZE), 52:37
• 12. Elle ANDERSON, (USA), 52:44
• 13. Karen VERHESTRAETEN, (BEL), 52:51
• 14. Joyce VANDERBEKEN, (BEL), 53:20
• 15. Kim VAN DE STEENE, (BEL), 54:02
• 16. Nikola BAJGEROVA, (CZE), 54:32
• 17. Pauline DELHAYE, (FRA), 54:36
• 18. Githa MICHIELS, (BEL), 54:40
• 19. Lindy VAN ANROOIJ, (NED), 54:51
• 20. Bianca VAN DEN HOEK, (NED), 54:52
• 21. Bethany CRUMPTON, (GBR), 55:09
• 22. Asa Maria ERLANDSSON, (SWE), 56:09
• 23. Senna FERON, (NED), 56:25
• 24. Axelle BELLAERT, (BEL)
• 25. Mascha MULDER, (NED)
• 26. Jinse PEETERS, (BEL)
• 27. Amira MELLOR, (GBR)
• 28. Soetkin VERTENTEN, (BEL)
• 29. Christine VARDAROS, (USA)
• 30. Aurelie VERMEIR, (BEL)
• 31. Veerle GOOSSENS, (NED)
• 32. Eva Maria PALM, (BEL)
• 33. Birgit MASSAGÉ, (BEL)
• 34. Laure MICHELS, (BEL)
• 35. Madeleine GAMMONS, (GBR)
• 36. Mara SCHWAGER, (GER)
• 37. Katleen FRAEYE, (BEL)
• 38. Tine VANDENHEEDE, (BEL)
• 39. Jana DOBBELAERE, (BEL)
• 40. Jo BLANCHAERT, (BEL)