Vos defends women's cyclo-cross title

Marianne Vos successfully defended her World Champion title at the 2010 UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships in Tabor, Czech Republic, on Sunday.

The Dutchwoman out-classed and out-paced her rivals, finishing a full 45 seconds ahead of second-placed rider

Hanka Kupfernagel (Germany), who herself was well ahead of

World Cup series winner Daphny Van Den Brand (Netherlands) in third.

There were just seven riders left in contention by the end of the first lap: Vos, Van den Brand, Kupfernagel and three French, with the home crowd urging Katerina Nash on as the Czech hooked up with the leaders.

But Vos pushed on during the second lap and was faultless for the remainder of the race, with four-time World Champion Kupfernagel and Van den Brand chasing to no avail.

Nash risked everything to land a medal for the home nation and almost closed the gap to Van Den Brand before hitting the deck.   

American contender Katie Compton fell victim to the mysterious leg cramps she has been suffering this season and pulled out early on in the forty-minute race.

Nikki Harris started best of the four British women, but it was Annie Last who revelled in the super-slippery conditions and came through to finish in an excellent 11th place. Nikki Harris placed 19th, Helen Wyman 23rd and Gabby Day 27th for Great Britain.

Cyclo-Cross World Championships 2010: Women

1. Marianne Vos (Netherlands) in 42-59

2. Hanka Kupfernagel (Germany) at 45secs

3. Daphny Van Den Brand (Netherlands) at 1-02

4. Katerina Nash (Czech Republic) at 1-20

5. Eva Lechner (Italy) at 1-41

6. Christel Ferrier-Bruneau (France) at 1-47

7. Caroline Mani (France) at 1-53

8. Pauline Ferrand Prevot (France) at 2-11

9. Sanne Van Paassen (Netherlands) at 2-28

10. Lucie Chainel-Lefevre (France) at 2-31

Other

11. Annie Last (Great Britain) at 2-37

Annie Last: Tope British finisher in 11th

Nikki Harris

Marianne Vos on her way to winning the world title

Related links

Home win for Czechs in cyclo-cross worlds: Junior & U23 men

Cyclo-Cross World Championships 2010, Junior & Under-23 men, photo gallery by Graham Watson

UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships 2010 preview