UCI World Champions Gegenheimer and Tormena slide to victory in Leuven

A rainy day started with a bang, thanks to home boy Lukas Malezsewski – former European junior champion in XCO. The 21-year-old Belgian set the fastest time in the qualifying time trials, and kept on performing consistently in all heats. He was one of two Belgian talents making it to the finals, together with Zinni Van Looy. Too bad, their companion Jay Bytebier crashed out of the race during the time trials.

In the big final, still on wet obstacles and slippery cobbled roads, the experienced 33-year-old Simon Gegenheimer did the perfect race, controlling from start to finish, and beating Malezsewski in a tight uphill sprint. Lorenzo Serres from France had to settle with fourth place after a crash in the final, which bagged young Van Looy his very first UCI World Cup podium, and lots of emotions afterwards.

UCI World Cup leader Titouan Perrin-Ganier didn’t make it to the big final, but still managed to retain his leader’s jersey thanks to a win in the small final. In the overall standings, the Frenchman has a 17 points margin on Gegenheimer.

“Of course it feels good to be back”, Tormena enjoyed her win. “I don’t really like the rain, but you have to adapt to the conditions as they are. Racing two times in Valkenswaard in rainy weather conditions before was a lesson for today. After Abu Dhabi, I was a bit afraid of crashing again. I had to fight with that fear, but the feeling was pretty good and I had a strong focus. It’s great to be back winning, as it always is.”

“With the rain and a long finish, it was a different track than last year”, defending winner Simon Gegenheimer analysed. “But the tactics remained the same: be in the front every race, from the start, to control and slow down the racing. And then there was the long finish, where you had to keep it until the end. I did that perfectly – but the legs were burning. This was a hard one, but I enjoy racing in Belgium every time I’m here.”