Marianne Vos and Zdenek Stybar retain their World Cyclo-cross titles

Marianne Vos of The Netherlands yesterday claimed her third world cycloscross in a row, and the fourth of her career, leaving behind the American Katie Compton on the final lap of the 2.8km course in Sankt Wendel, Germany. The men’s event was also won by the defending champion, the Czech rider, Zdenek Stybar.

Yesterday’s win is the 23-year-old Vos’s fourth victory in the event, which she won for the first time in 2006 at the age of just 18 when the championships were held at Zeddam in her home country.

It’s the second time that US national champion Compton, who had seemed to be the in-form rider going into the championships with five World Cup wins this season, has ended up in the silver medal position, the previous occasion being in 2007, and the 33-year-old also won bronze in 2009.

Katerina Nash of the Czech Republic completed the podium, while the top British rider was Helen Wyman, who finished 12th, with Nikki Harris 15th and Gabby Day 23rd.

In the men’s event, the 26-year-old Stybar, who had finished second in 2008 and 2009 before finally winning the rainbow jersey on home soil at Tábor last year, retained his title in a time of 1 hour 6 minutes 37 seconds, some 18 seconds ahead of runner-up Sven Nys, aged 35, of Belgium.

Nys completes his medal collection, having won bronze five times in the last 12 years, as well as gold, also at Sankt Wendel, in 2005. Another Belgian, the 27-year-old Kevin Pauwels, completed the podium, crossing the line 57 seconds behind his compatriot.

Great Britain’s Ian Field was placed 34th, with Jody Crawforth 38th and Paul Oldham in 44th position.

Next year’s championships take place in Koksijde in Belgium, which previously hosted the event in 1994.