"Today was my day" - Michael Vanthourenhout turns tables around with European Championships success

Michael Vanthourenhout was the winner of the European Championships last year in Namur but wasn't a big contender this winter. He didn't seem to come to Pontchâteau with the best form, but with an extremely muddy race and good tactics, he succeeded in taking a second consecutive title.

“My season didn't go well, but I already felt very strong after the Koppenbergcross. Today was my day," Vanthourenhout said in a post-race interview. The Belgian's best result so far had been a second in Overijse, but his unexpected DNF at Maasmechelen created doubts. He then rode to fifth at the Koppenbergcross which seemed to suit him very well.

However on the day the weather played in his favour. The rain fell heavily this Sunday from the men's under-23 race onwards, and turned the French circuit into a mudfest. It wasn't a rain-heavy race, however the course became extremely slippery. Whilst many struggled in it, Vanthourenhout thrived in it. He was the first to make a serious move and benefited from the Belgian's tactics to not chase him back.

“I already had good legs at the beginning of the cross and I went full throttle from the start," he stated. He then rode consistently and stayed upright throughout the race, and managed to hold off Cameron Mason and Lars van der Haar to take a very important win. "It was enough for the win. I am very happy with this new title. It is a shame that I cannot wear my Belgian champion jersey again, but a second European title is also very nice," he concludes.