A top field gathered for the cross duathlon by the runnersteam Putte, with an head-to-head between Rik Thijs and Wouter Wuilmus. The latter took the win after a strong session on the MTB. The Berendrecht course was a mud pool thanks to the dew, but Saturday volunteers went head over heels to clear everything of snow.
In the first 3.8km run, Wouter Wuilmus and Rik Thijs took off together. The Dutch Hendrik Venema transitioned as third with a one minute gap. Matthias Closstermans followed another thirty seconds later. Everybody expected Matthias to go to the head of the race on the MTB, but it was Wuilmus who did the tric. He gapped Rik Thijs with one and a half minute. Cloostermans couldn't close the gap and came in T2 in third position.
"Rik Thijs and I pushed the pace during the first run," Wouter explains. "We entered transition together and started biking. The technical course was very slippery, Rik had to drag behind and I managed to work with that little gap. I came in transition with a big lead and the places were already settled," says winner Wuilmus.
In the final run positions remained unchanged. Wouter Wuilmus won in 1hr27'55, two minutes later Rik Thijs came second. Matthias Closstermans came third in 1hr31'48. Hendrik Venema fell short in the sprint for bronze and came fourth, Lander Sels fifth. Wuilmus has taken his third Berendrecht Victory in four years time.
Cross country Champion wins
The women's race lead to a surprising victory by Britt Vanthillo. The former Belgian champion cross country running showed her MTB skills earlier in Herentals. On the run she was unstopable and built up a nice margin on Silke Baumer before getting on the bike. Baumer managed to close the gap on the bike, but during the final run Britt took off once more. She won in 1hr48'58, Silke Baumer came second, Kristien Nelen took third.
Original article on 3athlon.be by Hans Cleemput on 05/03/2018
Translation by @T0v3