Anton Ferdinande (DHM) claimed a hard-fought victory within the C1 Appeal Metropolis cyclocross race, narrowly holding off a fastly approaching Andrew Strohmeyer (CXD Trek Bikes). US champion Curtis White (Steve Tilford Basis) was third.
The win circled three podium finishes within the season however no wins.
“I had a very good feeling and was ready, ready, ready. I do know that going exhausting on the massive climb however I used to be not in an excellent place and needed to take lots of dangers within the final lap, however lastly I win,” Ferdinande stated.
“Strohmeyer has been driving very quick within the final weeks, the man is powerful. Curtis has lots of expertise and he made it exhausting on the final lap.”
Strohmeyer threw his bike on the line and got here inside centimetres of denying the Belgian however needed to accept second.
“Earlier than the race I had two concepts. One was both sit in and sort of see the place issues have been. The opposite one was make this the toughest hour it might be so yeah, I sat in right this moment, possibly it was higher. Perhaps it wasn’t.”
Scott Funston (WTB/Pivot Endurance) took the opening shot however quickly pale again as Anton Ferdinande (DHM) set a brisk tempo on the opening lap, adopted carefully by US champion Curtis White (Steve Tilford Basis), Vincent Baestaens (Spits CX Crew), Loris Rouiller (Heizomat-Kloster Kitchen), Andrew Strohmeyer (CXD Trek).
These 5 riders separated themselves from the sector with 4 laps remaining earlier than an assault from Ferdinande cut up the lead group. Firstly of the third to final lap, Strohmeyer was only some seconds behind the Belgian with Rouiller and White not far behind.
Strohmeyer made it throughout to Ferdinande on the third to final lap whereas behind, Rouiller misplaced contact with White, who made his means throughout to the leaders for a three-man battle for the victory.
White led into the difficult off-camber and powered into the technical forest part however misplaced a battle with Ferdinande for the entrance into the final part of turns.
The Belgian motored into the flyover that got here simply earlier than the ending straight, opening a spot on his rivals and holding on to the end line. Strohmeyer bought the higher of White within the dash for second.
