January 2, 2006 – After a frustrating start to her World Cup campaign Team Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau’s Lyne Bessette has found her European legs in a big way. On consecutive days this past weekend Lyne scored impressive podium finishes, racing in heavy, muddy conditions brought on by snow storms that have pummeled Europe over the past week.

Having suffered through an off day in the December 26th World Cup in Hofstade, Lyne took the Hooglede World Cup, December 31st, by storm. Using a great start to its fullest advantage, Lyne chased down early leader Hanka Kupfernagel, the defending world champion, and pushed the pace at every opportunity. Lyne and Kupfernagel were later joined by World Cup leader Daphny Van Den Brand, who managed to slip the two early leaders in the closing laps. Lyne looked ready to take second, but Kupfernagel used her voluminous `cross experience to take a bike change, and faster line through the pits, just enough to gap the Canadian champion on the last lap. Lyne finished in third, a solid step in her World Cup campaign.

“I felt great and I had a great start,” said Lyne. “I knew after Hofstade that I needed to be more aggressive during the race. I know how these girls ride and it’s a whole different ballgame over here. But the legs feel very good.”

Lyne took another trip to the podium on Sunday with a second place in the Grand Prix du Nouvel-An in Petange, Luxemburg. On a muddy course more mountain bikey than most European ëcross tracks, Lyne slotted in behind Marianne Vos for her second top-three in 48 hours.

Elite Men

1. Jonathan Page (USA) Cervélo
2. Ondrej Lukes (Cze) Johnson Controls
3. Vladimír Kyzivát (Cze) Johnson Controls As MB
4. Frantisek Kloucek (Cze) Author Praha
5. Pavel Adel (Cze) Klub Cyklistiky Hlinsko
6. Simon Zahner (Swi)
7. Thorsten Struch (Ger)
8. Jorn Van Der Veken (Bel) Profel Cycling Team
9. Pascal Perrin (Fra) ASPTT Nancy
10. David Pagnier (Fra)

Women

1. Marianne Vos (Ned)
2. Lyne Bessette (Can)
3. Birgit Hollmann (Ger)
4. Christine Vardaros (USA)
5. Daniela Bresciani (Ita)
6. Alexandra Bahler (Swi)
7. Nicole De Bie- Leyten (Ned)
8. Lucie Lefevre (Fra) VCC Morteau-Montbenoît
9. Fransesca Cucciniello (Ita)
10. Susy Godart (Lux)