Niels Albert started the 2009/2010 cyclo-cross season with a solo win in Neerpelt on Sunday, beating Czech rider Zdenek Stybar (Fidea)and Klaas Vantornout (Sunweb-Projob).
"I raced the day before, so that means I could go from the gun [on Sunday]," the Belgian explained his warm-up tactics to Belgian newspaper Sportwereld. Albert said the parcours was quite difficult. "It looks a bit like a recreational run, but don't underestimate it. I had to get off the bike four to five times."
Sven Nys finished in a disappointing ninth place, but the Belgian champion wasn't concerned about it. "When you do one mistake after the other you can't expect more. I had a hard time pedaling, had difficulties staying on my bike and I sweated like crazy. No panic, though. I know what I am doing and in a few weeks I'll be back."
Nys tried to hang on to Albert and Stybar from the beginning, but quickly had to drop back. Albert then left Stybar behind after about 15 minutes. Albert crossed the line pointing to the sky and explained that "I dedicate this victory to someone from my family who died this week."