2007 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships

The 2007 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships were held from 27 to 28 January 2007 at the Domenico Savio Park in Hooglede-Gits, Belgium.

Men's Elite

In an exciting world championships Gerben de Knegt was the first taking the lead and was booed by the 30,000 spectators. Top favourites Sven Nys and Bart Wellens took an early lead breaking away from the pack, but were set back by bad luck as they were brought down by a plastic block that was touched by a television motorcycle. Both continued the race, but had to chase the leaders from behind. Due to the incident defending champion Erwin Vervecken was the only leader with a small gap to the rest of the peloton. Also Vervecken fell as he tried to climb up a hill and was overtaken by Richard Groenendaal who took the initiative and looked secure to win his second world title, with the big favourites way behind. Groenendaal however also crashed and Italian champion Enrico Franzoi together with Jonathan Page were in the lead. Vervecken in the meanwhile was slightly behind the two and came back. Franzoi couldn't keep up driving through the sand and was set back and had to fight for his bronze medal. In the final lap both leaders tried to create a gap several times, but were taken back by the others, the exception was Vervecken who had an excellent line choice on the last major climb of the course before the finish, this line shot him past Page as he went on to successfully defend his world title. Franzoi was able to hold his third position for the bronze medal, while Bart Wellens became fourth with what was later reported a broken wrist.

Women's Elite

With defending champion Marianne Vos unable to keep up with the pace and her compatriot Daphny van den Brand crashing in the early stage of the race top favourite Hanka Kupfernagel started great and took the lead. Halfway through the race she suffered a mechanical problem and was dropped back. As a result two French outsiders Maryline Salvetat and Laurence Leboucher were in the lead alongside surprising American Katie Compton. In the final round Leboucher dropped the pace and Crompton had to close the gap towards Salvetat, but eventually failed, resulting in the rainbow jersey for Salvetat. Crompton clinched the silver and Leboucher won a bronze medal.

Medal Table

External links

* [http://www.hoogledegits2007.be/site/nl/home/index.asp Official website]
* [http://www.cyclingnews.com/cross/2007/jan07/CXworlds07/?id=results/CXworlds074 Men race report]
* [http://www.cyclingnews.com/cross/2007/jan07/CXworlds07/?id=results/CXworlds072 Under-23 race report]
* [http://www.cyclingnews.com/cross/2007/jan07/CXworlds07/?id=results/CXworlds071 Junior race report]
* [http://www.cyclingnews.com/cross/2007/jan07/CXworlds07/?id=results/CXworlds073 Women race report]