Jente Michels retains U23 European Championship title after last lap disaster for David Haverdings

Belgium's Jente Michels has taken the men's Under 23 Cyclocross European Championship title in Pontevedra, Spain this Sunday afternoon, successfully defending the title he took twelve months ago.

One of the real pre-race favourites, Dutch talent David Haverdings wasted no time in accelerating away from the pack. After flying from the opening gun, Haverdings had already built up an advantage of a handful of seconds over Jente Michels at the end of the first lap. By the end of the second lap though, things had started to regroup at the front.

As team tactics began to come into the equation during the mid-race laps, the Dutch attempted to control from the front. On lap 5 though, a new name emerged at the front as Filippo Agostinacchio launched a real acceleration at the front, something only Michels and Haverdings could match. As the leading trio began to look at each other on the penultimate lap, the gap to the chasers behind was closing but they were still clear as they took the bell. Michels had the front and immediately put the pressure on but Haverdings and Agostinacchio were holding firm. Over the stairs, Haverdings made a move and took over control at the front and as the finish line neared, the battle intensified as disaster struck for Haverdings, dropping his chain as Michels fired clear to take the title.