Valkenburg men's race images

Herbert Krabel Tue Oct 21 2014

Dutch champion Lars van der Haar was the top man on the home soil in Valkenburg, Netherlands with Belgian Kevin Pauwels the runner-up, and fellow Dutch Pro Corne Van Kessel third. Enjoy these pictures courtesy of Tom Prenen.

Lars van der Haar got a great start in Valkenburg and finished how he began.

Slideshow

Jeremy Powers is a long way from home, and so is Angus Edmond behind him, but they both love this sport and the sport does take place in this region.

Good starting spots do not come easy if you are new to the game, and being that far behind means trouble right away.

Lars van der Haar got the hole shot and looked very smooth and confident.

Sven Nys hugs the fence while Marcel Meisen attempts a wider path with hopes to stay on the bike.

Most folks however hugged the fence, with Fabian Canal trying to ride the section.

There was no one else in sight as Lars van der Haar came up to this climb.

Tom Meeusen in full flight up the steep grade on the way to 5th place.

Jeremy Powers worked very hard during the race for a well earned top ten spot.

Kevin Pauwels in pursuit of the leading Dutchman, and the padding shows that a perfect line here is very crucial.

Full attention on the face Javier Ruiz de Larriniga Ibanez from Spain, who worked very hard to not get lapped.

A battle for top 15 spots of Enrico Franzoi and Niels Wubben. Wubben ended up 15th and Franzoi 20th.

Ben Berden did not have a good day and got counted 2 laps down.

The pointy end of the field was battling hard for the top spots behind Lars van der Haar.

The Telenet-Fidea squad is always well represented and Corne van Kessel up front managed to snag third place, while Thijs Van Amerongen who is right behind him finished 6th.