It is not unrealistic that Jolanda Neff will win a medal at the cyclo-cross world championships, despite her high starting number. She starts the race from the fourth row of the grid, but quickly improves from there. Thanks to the fastest lap times, she was already in the leading group on the second lap and at the front of the field. Something that Neff has never achieved before, as she says in an interview with Swiss television.

Her chances of winning a medal lasted until the fourth lap, but then she slipped, had to come off her bike and lost touch. As a result, she is no longer able to catch up, as her chase has already cost her a lot of energy. Exposed to the elements alone, Neff fights against the wind and the approaching competition. Of the five-strong leading group, the Belgian Sanne Cant comes out on top for the third time in a row. However, the Swiss rider retains her position and takes a respectable sixth place.

Koller not aggressive enough - Rouiller celebrates eighth place

In the U23 women's race, Nicole Koller was the best Swiss rider in eighth place. Not enough for her physical starting position. Hers felt good, writes the 22-year-old. The relatively close time gaps are proof of this, and Koller is only 17 seconds off winner Inge Van der Heijden (NED) and nine seconds off bronze. She attributes the fact that she didn't finish higher than a good eighth place to her hesitant skiing style.
Noemi Rüegg, who is only 18 years old, is the second Swiss athlete in 22nd place.

In the U23 men's category, Great Britain's Thomas Pidcock chases the rainbow jersey from two-time title winner and defending champion Eli Iserbyt (BEL). Loris Rouiller has nothing to do with the medal race. However, this is the Frenchman's first U23 year, so his eighth place is a very good result. His compatriot Kevin Kuhn finished 14th.

Van der Poel reclaims title

Dutch all-rounder Mathieu Van der Poel was considered the big favorite before the race. In recent years, the Belgian Wout Van Aert has always been ahead of him, after Van der Poel made history in 2015 as the youngest elite world champion in cyclo-cross.

The Dutchman has certainly learned from this that being the season's dominator doesn't mean you naturally become world champion. Because in Bogensee, he doesn't let it burn and interrupts the winning streak of his opponent Van Aert. On lap four of the twelve, Van der Poel breaks away from the leading group and only Van Aert can follow him. But just one lap later, the defending champion has to pull the flying Dutchman. And he literally flies: atypical for a cyclo-cross race, Van der Poel has a lead of over 30 seconds at times. While he takes a superior victory, Van Aert still has to fend off his compatriot Toon Aerts - but does so successfully.

The Swiss cyclists finish the race without scoring an exploit - within their capabilities. Simon Zahner takes 22nd place and Timon Rüegg finishes 29th at his first elite world championships.


www.uci.org/cyclo-cross/results