Published November 3, 2013 10:13AM
Sven Nys defeats Niels Albert at Superprestige Zonhoven
A slow start didn't keep Nys from repeating his 2012 victory at Zonhoven, as a late surge by Albert fell just short of success
Sven Nys beats Niels Albert at the Zonhoven round of the Superprestige series. Photo: VeloNews.com
Sven Nys (Crelan-KDL) put in another of his famous late surges to win the Superprestige Zonhoven on Saturday.
The world champion got off to a slow start as Belgian champ Klaas Vantornout (Sunweb-Napoleon Games) set the early pace. But with three laps to race Nys had linked up with Vantornout, Lars van der Haar (Rabobank) and Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus).
Albert gassed it early in the bell lap and Nys led the chase, three seconds down. Van der Haar was first to drop off the pace, followed by Vantornout, and the race boiled down to a two-man battle between Nys and Albert.
The world champion attacked going into the finishing stretch, led out the sprint and took the victory with plenty of room to spare, as Albert hung his head.
Vantornout hung on for third, with van der Haar fourth and Bart Aernouts (AA Drink) pipping Philipp Walsleben (BKCP) for fifth.
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Nys now leads the Superprestige series with 29 points, one ahead of Vantornout. Albert sits third with 25, while van der Haar, winner of round one, has slipped to fourth with 24.
The series continues November 10 at Hamme-Zogge.