No, it wasn’t the day for Baloise Glowi Lions in the Superprestige of Heusden-Zolder. The team’s two leaders, Thibau Nys and Pim Ronhaar, did not figure into the race. Nys finished only fourteenth, while Ronhaar even braked to a stop. What’s going on with the two cyclocrossers?
It turns out both riders were struggling with back pain during the race. After the event, they went to Leuven to consult an osteopath, according to Het Nieuwsblad. Fortunately for Nys and Ronhaar, two rest days without racing follow, but the cyclocross season resumes on Boxing Day with the World Cup race in Gavere.
Nys had a promising start in Heusden-Zolder but gradually slipped down the rankings. After a fall, the Belgian champion’s hopes for a strong finish were dashed. Nys crossed the line in fourteenth place, two minutes behind the winner Tibor Del Grosso.
Ronhaar was off the radar for the entire race; the Baloise Glowi Lions rider had a very poor start and was unable to move up through the field afterward. Ronhaar has been inconsistent in recent weeks, alternating due to his fragile back between strong performances (he was still fourth in Antwerp) and off days.
