Bart De Vocht, who previously won in Nieuwkuijk, took control of the race right from the start. German Markus Bauer, Belgian Pieter Geluykens, Switzerland’s Matthias Stirnemann, David Rosa and Hans Becking joined De Vocht up front. Kevin Van Hoovels and Nick De Vriese compeltely missed their start.
David Rosa, the Portuguese champion, proved to be De Vocht’s main challenger. He came to Houffalize with a clear goal. Take the win and the points to qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro. It didn’t take long for Rosa to join De Vocht in the lead of the race. Becking followed Scheire suit. Rosa and De Vocht went into the final lap side by side but then disaster struck for Rosa as he got a puncture.
“Too bad for him, but that’s happened to me as well before”, said De Vocht. “Punctures are part of mountainbiking. I have to admit Rosa was stronger than me today. I stuck to my own pace and I’m very pleased with this victory.”
Becking too benefited from Rosa’s puncture and took second ahead of the Portuguese champion.
