Finally a sweater: Michael Vanthourenhout settles with Lars van der Haar after beautiful European Championship | European Cyclocross Championships 2022
Michael Vanthourenhout has crowned himself European cyclo-cross champion in Namur. The Belgian shook off the Dutchman Lars van der Haar on the flanks of the Citadel. Laurens Sweeck took the bronze.
Van der Haar immediately puts Belgians under pressure
The European Championship couldn’t have started any worse for the Belgians. Top favorite Lars Van der Haar shot out of the starting blocks madly and immediately had a 20 seconds bonus on an army of Belgians due to an error by Eli Iserbyt on the first bevel.
Van der Haar’s solo didn’t last long, because in the steep descent he hit the ground. Michael Vanthourenhout took advantage and was the only one to rejoin the defending champion.
A round later, the roles were reversed. Now it was Vanthourenhout who plunged into the mud and as a result Van der Haar seemed to be starting his solo.
Vanthourenhout rushes to first jersey with the pros
Just before halfway through, the scenario took a new turn when Van der Haar had a puncture and not much later also got stuck in the nets. Vanthourenhout took full advantage again and now it was his turn to drive away alone.
Van der Haar tried for laps to get closer, but he couldn’t. Vanthourenhout took every obstacle with great brilliance and no longer got into trouble for his own people.
Vanthourenhout will never be a winner, but he can call himself European champion for a year. Van der Haar became 2nd in 20 seconds, Laurens Sweeck 3rd in more than 2 (!) minutes.
Three Belgians did not make it to the finish: Iserbyt, Daan Soete and Quinten Hermans.
Reactions after the European Championship:
4 p.m. 12.
4 pm 11. This was a very nice Sunday. I enjoyed it. Paul Herygers.
This was a very nice Sunday. I enjoyed it.
Paul Herygers
4 pm 10. International top 10. A reborn Joris Nieuwhuis is 4th, Kevin Kuhn is 5th, Felipe Orts 6th, Michael Boros 7th, Toon Vandebosch 8th, Mees Hendrikx 9th, Timon Rüegg 10th. .
Internationale top 10
A reborn Joris Nieuwhuis is 4th, Kevin Kuhn is 5th, Felipe Orts 6th, Michael Boros 7th, Toon Vandebosch 8th, Mees Hendrikx 9th, Timon Rüegg 10th.
4 pm 08. Two Belgians on the podium. Laurens Sweeck fills the stage in more than 2 minutes. Michael Vanthourenhout meanwhile does not know what to do with his joy. .
Two Belgians on the podium
Laurens Sweeck fills the stage in more than 2 minutes. Michael Vanthourenhout meanwhile does not know what to do with his joy.
16 hours 08. Van der Haar is also within 40 seconds. The Dutchman is satisfied with his second place. .
Van der Haar is also within 40 seconds. The Dutchman is satisfied with his second place.
16 hours 07 match finished
Vanthourenhout is European champion!
Michael Vanthourenhout is inside the Citadel. He is the new European champion and can drive around in the star jersey for a whole year.
4 pm 05. Vanthourenhout also digests the last sloping side without any problems. 10 out of 10 today! .
Vanthourenhout also digests the last bevel without any problems. 10 out of 10 today!
4 pm 05. Vanthourenhout laughs bare when he sees his brother Dieter standing by the side. .
Vanthourenhout bares his teeth when he sees his brother Dieter standing by the side.
4 p.m. Vanthourenhout dives down one last time on the dangerous descent. He is now enjoying it to the fullest. .
Vanthourenhout dives down one last time on the dangerous descent. He is now enjoying it to the fullest.
4 p.m. 03. Sports director Jurgen Mettepenningen beams in the equipment zone, where Vanthourenhout grabs a new harness. He has another champion in his team. .
Sports director Jurgen Mettepenningen beams in the equipment zone, where Vanthourenhout picks up a new harness. He has another champion in his team.
4 pm 02. Van der Haar was physically the same, but made too many mistakes today. Reuben Van Gucht.
Van der Haar was physically the same, but made too many mistakes today.
Ruben Van Gucht
16 hours 02. Vanthourenhout’s lead has now risen to 45 seconds. This must be a pleasure for the West Flemish. .
Vanthourenhout’s lead has now risen to 45 seconds. This must be a pleasure for the West Flemish.
4 pm 02. Top favorite Van der Haar was defeated, but he did make a nice cross. Without the Dutchman it would have been a dull affair. .
Top favorite Van der Haar was defeated, but he did make a nice cross. Without the Dutchman it would have been a dull affair.
Assignments Soete and Hermans. Vanthourenhout will win this European Championship, but it has nevertheless become a battlefield for the Belgians. Adams didn’t start, Iserbyt, Soete and Hermans didn’t make it to the finish. . 4 p.m. 01.
Problems Soete and Hermans
Vanthourenhout will win this European Championship, but it has nevertheless become a battlefield for the Belgians. Adams didn’t start, Iserbyt, Soete and Hermans didn’t make it to the finish.
16 hours . It’s in! Reuben Van Gucht.
It’s in!
Ruben Van Gucht
Last round. Michael Vanthourenhout has started his lap of honour. He becomes the new European champion without incident. . 15 hours 59.
Last round
Michael Vanthourenhout has started his lap of honour. He becomes the new European champion without incident.
15 hours 58. On the penultimate bevel, Van der Haar again makes a mistake. It seems over for the Dutchman. .
On the penultimate bevel, Van der Haar again makes a mistake. It seems over for the Dutchman.
15 hours 57. The best powder now seems to have faded at Van der Haar: Vanthourenhout’s lead is 26 seconds. .
The best powder now seems to have faded at Van der Haar: Vanthourenhout’s lead is 26 seconds.
15 hours 56. Van der Haar is not throwing in the towel yet. Reuben Van Gucht.
Van der Haar is not throwing in the towel yet.
Ruben Van Gucht
15 hours 56. Vanthourenhout again neatly slaloms down between the tree roots and then also descends flawlessly towards cobblestones. .
Vanthourenhout again neatly slaloms down between the tree roots and then also descends flawlessly towards cobblestones.
