Mattia Agostinacchio has claimed the European title in the men's under-23 category. The Italian broke away just before the final lap and managed to stay clear. Dutchman David Haverdings took silver, while the bronze went to Belgian Kay De Bruyckere.
On the course in the coastal town of Middelkerke, the sand specialists were expected to dominate. Favorites for the title included Frenchman Aubin Sparfel, who finished third last year, David Haverdings, and Agostinacchio, last year's European and world junior champion. On the Belgian side, all eyes were on Yordi Corsus.
UEC Cyclo-cross European Championships U23MiddelkerkeMiddelkerkeIn the first lap, there were some probing attacks by Sparfel and Haverdings, but at the line all the favorites were still together. In the third lap, De Bruyckere surged forward. Corsus was already trailing behind. Sparfel, Haverdings, and the Dutchman Guus van den Eijnden followed. The pace upfront then eased somewhat, leaving a group of eight riders leading as the fourth lap began. Agostinacchio was also present at the front.
Sparfel and Haverders duel
In the fourth lap, Sparfel ramped up the pressure significantly, gaining a good gap. Haverdings then broke away from the rest of the chasers. This seemed to set the stage for a thrilling head-to-head battle. At the start of the fifth lap, Sparfel held a ten-second lead over his closest rival, but after Sparfel crashed, Haverdings closed the gap to five seconds. Meanwhile, De Bruyckere had dropped out of the chasing group.
Aubin Sparfel looked set for the win for a long time - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
However, Sparfel quickly regained momentum, while Haverdings gained company from Czech Václav Jezek, Frenchman Romain Debord, and Van den Eijnden. With two laps remaining, Sparfel seemed to have flown off with a fourteen-second lead, but another crash by Sparfel brought the suspense back. Before the Frenchman was back on the move, Haverdings had already caught up. Belgian Viktor Vandenberghe and Jezek joined shortly afterward as well.
Battle reopened after Sparfel’s crash
Suddenly, the fight for gold was wide open again. Sparfel seemed a bit off his rhythm and made another mistake just before the final lap. This gave Agostinacchio the opportunity to break away and quickly gain ten seconds on the rest. Haverdings went off in pursuit alone but saw the Italian pull further ahead to a fifteen-second advantage.
David Haverdings had to settle for silver - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
Agostinacchio proved unbeatable and took the European title as a first-year under-23 rider. Haverdings secured the silver medal. After an impressive comeback, De Bruyckere snatched the bronze right from under the noses of Sparfel and Vandenberghe.
UEC Cyclo-cross European Championships U23| Rank | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 53:15 | |
| 2 | + 17 | |
| 3 | + 20 | |
| 4 | " | |
| 5 | + 23 | |
| 6 | + 25 | |
| 7 | + 27 | |
| 8 | + 29 | |
| 9 | + 32 | |
| 10 | + 41 |
