January 12, 2009 – Here is a selection of photos from various National Cyclocross Championships held all over Europe this past week. Champions are featured from Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy. There was a Canadian connection at the Dutch National Championships – Tim Heemskerk, who is originally from Holland and now lives in Edmonton, placed 9th in the elite men’s competition.

Belgium

Men
1. Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago)
2. Niels Albert (BKCP – Powerplus)
3. Kevin Pauwels (Fidea Cycling Team)

Women
1. Joyce Vanderbeken (J&G Cycling Team)
2. Sanne Cant (A.D.S. Selle Italia Guerciotti
3. Veerle Ingels (Avb – Cycling Team)

Netherlands

Men
1. Lars Boom (Rabobank
2. Thijs Al (AA Drink – BeOne)
3. Richard Groenendaal (AA Drink – Be One)

9. Tim Heemskerk (Edmonton)

Women
1. Daphny van den Brand (ZZPR.nl-Destil-Merida)
2. Mirjam Melchers-Van Poppel (Team Flexpoint)
3. Saskia Elemans (Team Flexpoint)

Germany

Men
1. Philipp Walsleben (Team BKCP-Power Plus)
2. René Birkenfeld (Stevens Cyclocross Team Hamburg)
3. Paul Voß (Team Milram)

Women
1. Hanka Kupfernagel (Itera-Stevens)
2. Sabrina Schweizer (Rad-Union 1913 Wangen e.V.)
3. Claudia Seidel (1a-crossteam)

Italy

Men
1. Enrico Franzoi (Liquigas)
2. Marco Aurelio Fontana (Selle Italia Guerciotti A.S.D.)
3. Marco Bianco (L Arcobaleno Carraro Team)

Women
1. Eva Lechner (C.S. Esercito – Colnago Cap)
2. Daniela Bresciani (Team Colnago Cap Arreghini)
3. Milena Cavani (Marchiol Ima Famila)