Sanne Cant claims 14th straight Belgian cyclocross title
Norbert Riberolle beset by mechanicals in opening lap but rallies for silver, Franck takes third
Sanne Cant (Crelan-Fristads) soloed to victory to claim her 14th straight Belgian Cyclocross national championship title in Lokeren on Saturday. Marion Norbert Riberolle and Alicia Franck rounded out the podium.
The 32-year-old closed out her cyclocross season with a commanding performance. She announced this week she had given up hope of landing on the podium at the UCI Cyclocross World Championships.
"It doesn't look like I will suddenly have great medal chances in Hoogerheide in three weeks' time," Cant told Sporza, adding she would refocus on joining her new WorldTour team Fenix-Deceuninck. "Then it seems better to us to take a few weeks of extra rest and to shift the focus more quickly to the spring on the road."
There were some doubts that Cant could continue her streak after she skipped the majority of the kerstperiode races in December. Norbert Riberolle was considered a favourite to dethrone her rival.
However, the formerly French rider suffered mechanical problems in the opening lap and had to mount a chase from a distance.
Norbert Riberolle closed down the gap to Franck on the second lap and got as close as 30 seconds to Cant but couldn't close the distance and finished in tears at 1:20. Franck finished a distant third at 2:05.
"This is very frustrating," Norbert Riberolle said afterward. "My chain got between the cassette and the rear wheel and got stuck. That had also happened during reconnaissance, but I thought it would be fine once started. Not so. The morale was so completely gone.
"The bad luck was on my side today, unfortunately. I had been looking forward to this and I knew I had a chance to win the tricolor on this course. Now this chance is gone and I have to wait at least another year."
Results powered by FirstCycling
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Laura Weislo has been with Cyclingnews since 2006 after making a switch from a career in science. As Managing Editor, she coordinates coverage for North American events and global news. As former elite-level road racer who dabbled in cyclo-cross and track, Laura has a passion for all three disciplines. When not working she likes to go camping and explore lesser traveled roads, paths and gravel tracks. Laura's specialises in covering doping, anti-doping, UCI governance and performing data analysis.
Most Popular
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
'A victory that repays an entire season' – Niewiadoma claims world title at first gravel race
Rider from Poland delivers first UCI race win since 2019 in women's elite race at UCI Gravel World Championships in Italy -
‘I’m not sure I deserve it’ - Thibaut Pinot's moving farewell at Il Lombardia
Hundreds of Pinot Ultras gather in Bergamo to say goodbye to their hero -
‘This was the hardest’ - Tadej Pogačar makes history with Il Lombardia hat trick
UAE Team Emirates leader overcomes cramp and goes solo to end 2023 on a high -
'No regrets' for Primoz Roglic after last dance for Jumbo-Visma
'I’m satisfied. This third place was a victory for me' says Roglic after podium finish at Il Lombardia