European champion Michael Vanthourenhout was on fire during the cold battle in the snow of Val di Sole and took the win with a strong solo! 💥 #CXWorldCup
Niels Vandeputte delighted after first podium finish at Cyclocross World Cup: "This means a lot to me”
CyclocrossSunday, 18 December 2022 at 13:00
Crossing the Val di Sole finish line by doing a wheelie, Niels Vandeputte could barely contain his delight. “I've been on the podium in elite races in the last two years, but in a World Cup race, on a lap like this, it's unbelievable. I am very, very happy,”
With only Michael Vanthourenhout in front of Vandeputte, the Belgian took second spot at the snow cross, achieving a podium finish at a UCI World Cup event for the very first time. In his post-race interview, Vandeputte discussed how his pre-race preperation set him up perfectly. “I had a lot of confidence during the reconnaissance. And during the first two rounds I also had that feeling on the ice and snow.”
Getting off to an excellent start, Vandeputte and Vanthourenhout were neck and neck for a period. Despite his happiness at achieving his first podium, the Belgian admits there is a tinge of disappointment that he wasn't able to secure a victory.
"It was important to be in the front because you couldn't see the tracks very well in second position. Together with Michael I made a hole. He managed to get a gap on me as well, after which I had a crash and a puncture," he said. " I had to let him go. I don't mean that I could have followed him differently, but then it might have been a better fight. Still, I am happy that I was able to keep the pace and finish second.”
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