Kuypers & Wenzel Win Petingen Cyclocross – 2024 Results

Both had separated themselves from their competitors immediately after the start. Berton wasn’t able to follow her compatriot’s pace for long, but was able to defend her second place to the finish ahead of France’s Lauriane Duraffourg. “I’m here in Petingen every year because I enjoy the route a lot and it’s simply a ‘cool’ start to the new year. I didn’t think I would end up on the podium. I had an advantage over my pursuers on the long climb. Since cross isn’t my specialty, I mastered the technically demanding descent in the best possible way,” said the professional rider, who is concluding her cross season with the national championships and then prepares for the next one with her team Prepare for the road season.

After an impeccable performance, Liv Wenzel reached the finish line with a lead of 1:23 and was very satisfied after her debut victory: “When I looked at the start list, I didn’t necessarily expect that it would be enough to win. However, you have to keep in mind that with Larissa Hartog (NL) and Line Burquier (F), two strong competitors were missing. I was hoping for a place on the podium and I’m surprised that it was enough to win “I was already in very good shape at the last international races. I like the physically demanding route with the technical descent,” said the Espoirs champion, who will be fine-tuning her title defense at the World Cup in Zonhoven, Belgium. The 21-year-old also announced that she has signed a contract with the Austrian continental team Tirol KTM for 2026.

On January 11th, Mil Morang (Lotto Kern-Haus PSD Bank) is also aiming for the Espoirs title. After his performance on Thursday there will be no way around him in Diekirch. The 21-year-old got off to an excellent start and drove the eight laps on the frozen terrain at a consistently high pace. The aspiring road professional achieved an excellent ninth place in the international starting field and was very impressed with his performance at the finish area: “After a good start, I quickly found my rhythm. Although I’m not as technically adept as the specialists, I hardly made any mistakes. On the climb I noticed that my form was right. Even in the last lap of this race, which lasted over an hour, I still had reserves of strength,” said the winner of the U23 category, which will start on Sunday at the dress rehearsal in Hesperange.

The two Belgians Gerben Kuypers and Lander Loockx, who had won on the “Hierschtbierg” a year ago, fought an exciting duel for the day’s victory. However, the 28-year-old had to acknowledge his compatriot’s superiority. Kuypers, who has been wearing the jersey of the Belgian top team Pauwels Sauzen since Thursday, made his decisive attack in the penultimate lap and was able to enter the winners’ list of the international race in the UCI-C2 category for the first time.

Top favorite Caliste Chainel from France was able to confidently prevail in the international junior competition. The son of Steve Chainel, the three-time winner of the elite race in Petingen, relegated Sven Wisse (NL) and Maxence Detre (F) to the places of honor. After a strong performance, 17-year-old Ben Koenig (CT Atertdaul) missed the podium by just six seconds.

There was also a foreign success in the regional Débutant(e)s race by Daniel Szilasi from Hungary. Second and third places went to Paul Moog (SaF Zéisseng) and Wannes Descan (B).