February 1, 2009 (Hoogerheide, Netherland) – Niels Albert (Bel) overcame all odds to win the 2009 CX World Championship title in the elite men’s race today. The 23-year-old won the U23 title last year, but his dreams for 2009 were put in the balance earlier this season when he suffered serious internal injuries in a crash that put him in hospital. Throughout his convalescence, Albert maintained his focus on the Worlds and realized his dream today when he crossed the line first. Zdenek Stybar (Cze) finished second and Sven Nys (Bel) was third. Canada’s Derrick St. John placed 54th and Aaron Schooler (Can) was 56th.

Results

1. Niels Albert (Belgium) 1:02:24
2. Zdenek Stybar (Czech Republic) 0:22
3. Sven Nys (Belgium) 0:38
4. Bart Wellens (Belgium) 1:10
5. Francis Mourey (France) 1:23
6. Kevin Pauwels (Belgium)
7. Sven Vanthourenhout (Belgium) 1:24
8. Simon Zahner (Switzerland)
9. Steve Chainel (France)
10. Klaas Vantornout (Belgium)
11. Marco Aurelio Fontana (Italy)
12. Thijs Al (Netherlands)
13. Enrico Franzoi (Italy) 1:25
14. Jonathan Lopez (France) 1:26
15. Christian Heule (Switzerland) 1:29
16. Gerben De Knegt (Netherlands) 1:50
17. Petr Dlask (Czech Republic) 1:51
18. Kamil Ausbuher (Czech Republic)
19. Erwin Vervecken (Belgium)
20. Lars Boom (Netherlands)
21. Eddy Van Ijzendoorn (Netherlands)
22. Marcel Wildhaber (Switzerland) 1:52
23. José Antonio Hermida Ramos (Spain)
24. Nicolas Bazin (France) 1:56
25. Wilant Van Gils (Netherlands) 2:01
26. Radomir Simunek (Czech Republic) 2:45
27. Marco Bianco (Italy) 2:46
28. René Birkenfeld (Germany) 2:47
29. Constantino Zaballa Gutierrez (Spain) 2:48
30. Egoitz Murgoitio Rekalde (Spain) 2:51
31. Jody Crawforth (Great Britain) 2:53
32. Isaac Suarez Fernandez (Spain)
33. Fabio Ursi (Italy)
34. Mariusz Gil (Poland)
35. Jeremy Powers (USA) 2:54
36. Marek Cichosz (Poland) 2:59
37. Milan Barenyi (Slovakia) 3:11
38. Richard Groenendaal (Netherlands) 3:25
39. Ian Field (Great Britain) 4:01
40. Joachim Parbo (Denmark) 4:17
41. Javier Ruiz De Larrinaga Ibanez (Spain) 4:26
42. Peter Presslauer (Austria) 4:35
43. Rafael Visinelli (Italy) 4:36
44. Matt Shriver (USA) 4:44
45. Gusty Bausch (Luxembourg) 4:47
46. Martin Haring (Slovakia) 4:48
47. Magnus Darvell (Sweden) 4:49
48. Paul Oldham (Great Britain) 4:56
49. Brian Matter (USA) 5:12
50. Martin Zlamalik (Czech Republic) 5:19
51. Masanori Kosaka (Japan) 5:24
52. Jonathan Page (USA) 5:47
53. Maros Kovac (Slovakia) 6:26
54. Derrick St. John (Canada) -1 Lap
55. Jens Westergren (Sweden) -1 Lap
56. Aaron Schooler (Canada) -2 Laps
57. Thijs Van Amerongen (Netherlands) -3 Laps
58. Zoltan Tisza (Hungary) -3 Laps
59. Evgeny Pechenin (Russia) -3 Laps
60. Marios Athanasiades (Cyprus) -3 Laps
61. Martin Vestby (Norway) -4 Laps
62. Keiichi Tsujiura (Japan) -5 Laps
63. Boris Vasilyev (Russia) -5 Laps
64. Alexey Belokrylov (Russia) -5 Laps
DNF Paul Voss (Germany)
DNF Martin Bina (Czech Republic)
DNF Ryan Trebon (USA)
DNF Vaclav Metlicka (Slovakia)
DNF Rodger Aiken (Ireland)