Niels Albert won the second race in the Superprestige in Zonhoven today. Zdenek wasn’t able to get in the mix and missed out on a podium place. “Yet the legs are feeling a bit better. My fitness is not too far off.”

Styby had a good start and immediately took the lead heading toward the Zonhoven Sand Pit. Our favorite didn’t make any mistakes until a bit later on in the race. “On a technical uphill I had to put my foot down. I didn’t see the three guys who passed me after that.”

Albert passed him, with both Sven Nys and Kevin Pauwels in his wheel. Albert was able to shake off his two rivals a short time later and rode a long solo to victory. Zdenek was left to fight for fourth place the rest of the race. “For a moment I thought about the podium when I saw Kevin again, but then I fell.”

That fall brought our champion completely out of his rhythm and the battle for fourth continued with Bart Wellens. “Towards the end I secured that spot. Knowing I haven’t ridden a meter in the sand yet this year, I didn’t do too bad,” Zdenek said.

Zdenek’s next race is the Koppenberg Cross on Tuesday. “I’m looking forward to it already. I also signed a contract to ride the Wallonia GP in Dottignies on Saturday. The next day I’ll ride in Ronse. It’ll be a difficult week with four races in eight days.”

Photo Š Cyclephotos.co.uk




By on 30/10/2011