If you like mud, this 2013 Soudal Jaarmarktcross Niel gallery should find you well, and it looks like the Gavere race this weekend will be even muddier still.

World Champion Sven Nys took the win in this waterlogged race and Telenet-Fidea teammates Wout Van Aert and Rob Peeters rounded out the podium. It was best for both athletes and spectators to come to this race well prepared otherwise it meant a very long soggy day.

Soudal Jaarmarktcross Niel
Niel, Belgium / November 11, 2013

Top men

1. Sven Nys (BEL) 1:01:48
2. Wout Van Aert (BEL) 1:02:09
3. Rob Peeters (BEL) 1:03:02
4. Bart Aernouts (BEL) 1:03:08
5. Thijs Van Amerongen (NED) 1:03:42


All images © Tom Prenen

When Sven Nys is gone, he is likely gone for good, and this technical course suited him well.

It was all fun and games before the race while sill on dry ground.

The World Champion got very muddy on his warm-up ride and so did everybody else.

There just wasn't a clean line on this waterlogged course as Jim Aernouts is likely to attest.

Mechanics gingerly move clean spare bikes to the pits.

On the first lap the front runners were still reasonably clean.

Everyone was looking for that perfect line.

Great entertainment for well prepared spectators for sure.

American champion Jonathan Page in action.

Young talented Belgian Wout Van Aert took charge early on.

Philip Walsleben was near the front but did not quite manage to crack the podium.

Sven Nys is pushing past Joeri Adams here after a not so great start.

Niels Albert leads Corne Van Kessel and Jim Aernouts over the soggy grass.

The final hard work by Walsleben netted him 6th place.

The racing just outside the top 10 includes the Belgian national champion.

Wout Van Aert tried to hang on to Sven Nys once the World Champion came up to him.

Even more mud for Dieter Vanthourenhout.

This group was battling for places 4-6.

Fun times in the laundry room of Kevin Pauwels are coming up.

It is good that shooter Tom Prenen was well ready for the wet course in Niel.