Nieuwenhuis and Bakker take victory in the Val di Sole CX World Cup

Joris Nieuwenhuis wins on the snow in the Val di Sole CX World Cup. The Dutchman sealed a fantastic race with a devastating pace that ended any chance of victory for his rivals. In the women's category, Bakker beat Alvarado on the day Pieterse returned to competition.

Nieuwenhuis gives a recital on the snow and wins the Val di Sole World Cup

The Baloise-Trek rider overpowered all his rivals. The Dutchman started the gallop towards victory from the first pedal stroke. Vandeputte was the only one able to respond to the dazzling start made by the Zelhem rider. Meanwhile, Iserbyt, Sweeck, Wyseure and Vanthourenhout were relegated to a more complex start than they would have wished for.

The attacks of Niwuwenhuis ended any attempt by Vandeputte. The Dutchman danced effortlessly through the Alpine snow, overtook Vandeputte and went solo taking the lead of the race. Vandeputte then became stuck in second place, with little hope of cutting back the bleeding with a great Nieuwenhuis, but with the necessary intensity to keep threats at bay lurking behind.

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The fight for third place seemed to fall on the side of Wyseure, who managed to gain an advantage over Iserbyt, aware of the risks run by those ahead and with the peace of mind that he was virtually still increasing his lead in the overall standings.

The race moved little from then on. The leading positions were settled and the distances, too large, could only disappear if someone made a mistake or if suddenly their strength abandoned them. Even so, Wyseure set the best race time and approached Vandeputte, although in the end the hunt did not reach a good port and both maintained their positions.

Nieuwenhuis pedaled with many meters of advantage and reached the finish line alone to raise his arms as the winner of the Val di Sole World Cup. The Dutchman signs his first victory in the elite category of the competition with a great performance.

Vandeputte achieved a great second place and Wyseure took the third step of the podium. For his part, Iserbyt extends his lead in the overall standings and consolidates himself as the big favorite to take the title.

Elite Men's Results - Val di Sole CX World Cup

1. Joris Nieuwenhuis 1h00'19''
2. Niels Vandeputte +1'01"
3. Joran Wyseure +1'33"
4. Michael Vantohurenhout +2'05"
5. Eli Iserbyt +2'08''
6. Laurens Sweeck +2'09"
7. Kevin Kuhn +2'44"
8. Timon Ruegg +2'53"
9. Ryan Kamp +2'56''
10. Toon Vandebosch +3'

Manon Bakker overcomes Alvarado and wins in Val di Sole

Alvarado -who was returning after being absent in Flamanville due to illness- showed that she had a hunger for victory from the first moment. The Dutchwoman from Alpecin-Deceuninck was the fastest in the first meters, although she became a victim of her own ambition when she fell on the second curve.

Zemanova flirted with the lead but some mistakes made life easier for Alvarado, who managed to get back to the front and overtake her. Far from giving up so soon, the Czech accepted the duel and both closed the first lap at the helm of the race. Pieterse, who was returning to competition after skipping several races, was embroiled in her own battle for the comeback, while Bakker occupied a solid third position.

Alvarado showed that she was the rider with the most chances of winning. Bakker cut distances and when Alvarado wanted to break the race and go solo, a slip returned her to square one: Zemanova and Bakker regained contact with her and the head was formed by this trio.

Despite these incidents, Alvarado showed an agility on the snow, which by its treacherous nature always forced to pedal with an extra concentration and improvisation, which allowed her to regain control of the race. Zemanova was losing steam as the clock added minutes, which offered Pieterse the chance to pass her and sneak into podium positions.

Bakker was left alone in the chase and began to reduce distances with her predecessor shortly before the start of the last lap. With not much time to speculate, Bakker quickly revealed her cards: she overtook Alvarado and tried to escape. A faultless drive and a crushing pace at this stage of the game gave her the necessary weapons to defeat her compatriot.

Thus, Bakker traced with courage and confidence in a last lap in which she was gradually expanding her cushion of seconds. The Dutchwoman reached the finish line in first position and certified the victory in the Val di Sole CX World Cup. First victory of the rider in the elite category.

Alvarado, who again showed a great level and led a good part of the race, had to settle for a great second position. The result allows her to extend her lead in the overall standings. The third place of Pieterse closed the podium.

Elite Women's Results - Val di Sole CX World Cup

1. Manon Bakker 46'14"
2. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado +23"
3. Puck Pieterse +1'35"
4. Kristyna Zemanova +1'47"
5. Sidney McGill +2'14"
6. Valentina Corvi +2'34"
7. Francesca Baroni +2'46"
8. Maghalie Rochette +3'43"
9. Sara Casasola +4'06"
10. Keterina Hladikova +4'59"