Dutchman Lars van der Haar won the first Niels Albert Cross in Boom. On the beautiful course at De Schorre, he beat Wout van Aert in a sprint. Sven Nys was in contention until only half a lap remained but finished 45 seconds behind in third.

Lars van der Haar started strongly but Wout Van Aert followed attentively and the two worked well together. Sven Nys was initially a handful of seconds behind but gradually he closed the gap.

In the sunny weather and on the green grass, the three made it a fast race. The spectators on the 2600m circuit saw an exciting battle between three of the strongest riders. The two yongster put van der Haar under pressure in the hills but the veteran did not crack.

After the midpoint, Nys set his own pace. The situation remained unchanged for 15 minutes but Van Aert took over and systematically increased the pace. With less than one lap to go, Nys cracked and left it two the two youngsters to decide the win.

Van Aert tried to shake his Dutch rival off but he latched onto his wheel. It was even Van der Haar who took the lead just before the start of the last sand section. H did not relinquish it.

Earlier in the day, 35-year-old Ellen Van Loy was the fastest in the women's race. She beat Maud Capt Heijn and Loes Sels into the minor podium positions.

The Niels Albert Cross is not part of any series. Tomorrow the Koppenbergcross will be held, a race that is part of the Bpost Bank Trofee series.

Result

1. Lars van der Haar 58:24 
2. Wout Van Aert at 0:06 
3. Sven Nys 0:45 
4. Tom Meeusen 1:34 
5. Jim Aernouts 1:37 
6. Joeri Adams 2:00 
7. Marcel Meisen 2:30 
8. Jens Adams 3:14 
9. Philipp Walsleben 
10. Rob Peeters 4:09