The Belgians took bronze in the mixed relay at the Cyclo-cross World Championships. Michael Vanthourenhout was unable to make up for much due to a deficit.
Michael Vanthourenhout entered the field sixth and last for the Belgians in the mixed relay. At that moment the Belgians were already in third place, the difference with the French and the British was already half a minute.
“I must honestly say that it was a bit disappointing,” final driver Michael Vanthourenhout said, a bit disappointed Sporza. “I wanted to get closer as quickly as possible. But halfway through my lap things started to turn sour behind my ears. Then I knew that there was nothing more to it than third place.”
Cyclocross World Championships course
Despite everything, Vanthourenhout has learned something for Sunday, when the elite men will compete for the rainbow jersey. “I now know where it is super difficult and where the differences will be made.”
And yet the course changes very quickly. For example, an hour and a half before the mixed relay, the course was still frozen, but a greasy layer had already thawed during the race. “It’s a really tough course.”
