Nikki Harris second in Koksijde cyclo-cross World Cup (video)

British rider Nikki Harris placed a close second behind Sanne Cant in classic Belgian cyclo-cross race

Cyclocross : women's podium, World Cup Koksijde 2015
(Image credit: Watson)
Nigel Wynn
By Nigel Wynn
published

Nikki Harris (Telenet-Fidea) gave her cyclo-cross World Cup campaign a boost, placing second behind the all-conquering Sanne Cant (Enertherm-BKCP) in the Koksijde round of the 2015/16 series.

Belgian Cant soloed to win the classic race run off on an alternately sandy and muddy course, continuing her recent incredible streak of victories - it's her sixth major victory this month alone.

American Katie Compton (Trek) placed third, with Brit Helen Wyman (Kona) in sixth.

Harris's second place was all the more remarkable given she suffered from a puncture during the gruelling race, with the British rider commenting via Twitter afterwards: "Damn puncture! Such a great race, and at last cross conditions. Happy to take second given the circumstances. Good legs finally."

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Cant tops the UCI women's cyclo-cross World Cup leaderboard, with Harris in fifth and Wyman in seventh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPcGHnVyn4M

In the elite men's race, 39-year-old Belgian veteran Sven Nys (Crelan-AA Drink) claimed the victory ahead of 21-year-old Wout Van Aert (Vastgoedservice-Golden Palace) - an 18-year age difference between the two riders.

It was Nys's first World Cup win since the 2012/13 season, when he was also crowned world champion.

Current world champion Mathieu van der Poel (BKCP-Powerplus) completed the podium in third.

Van Aert sits at the top of the men's World Cup standings ahead of Nys.

Mathieu van der Poel (Ned)

Mathieu van der Poel
(Image credit: Watson)

Sven Nys wins

Sven Nys shows his elation at winning in Koksijde
(Image credit: Watson)

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Nigel Wynn
Nigel Wynn
Former Associate Editor

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, n exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed. 

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