Nijs Triumphs

Nijs started out the new season right where he left off ealier this year. He took his first scalp in Erpe-Mere without trouble, riding away from the front group just over half-way to win by 30 seconds or so.
Many of the big riders were present although some top riders like Groenendaal, Dlask, Vannoppen and Wellens were not there.

Some of you might remember Wellen's trying to take off a drunk annoying spectator's head last year in Overijse. Apparently they got around to suspending him and he won't be racing until October.


It was the Czech former U23 World Champion Stybar who opened the festivities on a dry, fast course and gapped the other runners. Nijs easily closed the gap to him in one effort bringing up othe riders like De Kneght, Arnouts, Albert. They were shortly joined by Vervecken, Heule and Vanthourenhout. Nijs and Stybar took turns setting the pace until Nijs' decisive attack with 4 laps to go. In the chase group De Kneght crashed heavily on the hard ground and had to withdraw from the race with back pain but no broken bones. Stybar was able to outsprint Vervecken for the minor podium places. Page wasn't able to make the front group and eventually finished 10th.

I found these on Nijs' website. This is how the best crosser in the world rolls.

Notice that symbol in the corner of those pictures. It's Sven's new symbol. At least he's keeping his name and not just becoming a symbol like Prince.