2014 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships – Men's elite race
| 2014 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships | ||||||||||
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| Race details | ||||||||||
| Dates | 2 February 2014 | |||||||||
| Stages | 1 | |||||||||
| Distance | 27.2 km (16.90 mi) | |||||||||
| Winning time | 1h 05' 30" | |||||||||
| Medalists | ||||||||||
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 Gold
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 Zdeněk Štybar (Czech Republic)
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 Silver
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 Sven Nys (Belgium)
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 Bronze
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Kevin Pauwels (Belgium)
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This event was held on 2 February 2014 as part of the 2014 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Hoogerheide, Netherlands. Participants must be men born in 1991 or before. It was won by Zdeněk Štybar of Czech Republic.
Sven Nys of Belgium was the big favourite before the race, having dominated the races of the month leading up to it. Beside him were Lars van der Haar of Netherlands, winner of the World Cup, and Belgian Tom Meeusen, the only one to somewhat keep equal footing to Nys as well as winner of the last World Cup race (where Nys did not participate). Outsiders were Francis Mourey of France as well as other Belgians: Niels Albert, winner in Hoogerheide in the 2009 World Championship, Kevin Pauwels, always good on fast and dry tracks, and Klaas Vantornout, silver medal the year before in Louisville. The big unknown factor was Czech Republic's Zdeněk Štybar. Touted by Nys as being his main opponent, the World Champion of 2010 and 2011 had only taken part in six races during the season and was only taking part in the World Championship as an aside in his preparation for the road season. Due to his bad place in the UCI ranking, Štybar was only placed on the fourth start row.
The race started with Mourey immediately trying one of his fast attacks. Behind him the Czech Martin Bína took a tumble, holding up the entire pack, and gave Mourey a few seconds for free which he quickly lost again. Albert had a usual terrible start and never recovered. Štybar on the other hand had an amazing start, joining the head of the race halfway the first lap and, showing off his great form, attacked from the head of the race by the end of the first lap.
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