26/11/2023

Pim Ronhaar runs riot in Dublin, surviving thrilling Laurens Sweeck fightback to secure second World Cup win of the season

Pim Ronhaar has taken a thrilling victory at the UCI World Cup in Dublin. Powering through incredibly muddy conditions, Ronhaar survived a thrilling fightback from Laurens Sweeck to hold on to victory.

With Michael Vanthourenhout notably having an awful start, the World Champion was some way back just halfway through the opening lap. At the other end of the spectrum, Thibau Nys was showing some good legs, putting the pressure on early and leading after lap 1 with Toon Vandebosch keeping close order in second.

Lucinda Brand takes 50th elite cyclocross victory with faultless performance in Dublin, Alvarado and Backstedt complete podium

As Vandebosch slipped slightly, he was swallowed up by the chasing pack and during lap 2 and Nys was joined up front by Eli Iserbyt, but the advantage between the leading duo over the chasers was all but non-existent. At least that was the case before Nys kicked again and powered clear solo at the conclusion on lap 2.

With Nys unable to continue extending his advantage over the next few laps, the battle for the lead intensified, including a moment of contention between Iserbyt and Jens Adams. With 4 laps down, a leading group of five held the front with Iserbyt just off the back.

Pim Ronhaar was the next to try and break free from the group, attacking hard during lap 5 and as the reaction behind stalled, Iserbyt leapfrogged the chasers and launched after the Baloise - Trek Lions rider.

With two laps to go, Ronhaar led Iserbyt by three seconds with Laurens Sweeck in third but battling a puncture.

Taking the bell, the leading trio were well clear of the rest with Ronhaar still just three seconds ahead of Iserbyt and Sweeck. Mounting a brilliant fightback, Sweeck first dropped Iserbyt before then catching and passing Ronhaar. In the final straight though, Ronhaar reversed the momentum yet again to seal a thrilling victory.