Cyclo-Cross: Home rule for Herijgers as Dutch falters

PAUL HERIJGERS kicked more sand in the face of his rivals in his native dunes yesterday when he took the World Open title at this resort, two days after picking up a pounds 16,000 cheque for winning the World Cup, writes Robin Nicholl from Koksijde, Belgium.

He ploughed through from more than 20 seconds behind to catch the leader, the Dutchman Richard Groenendaal. He slapped him cockily on the back, then broke clear on the eighth and final lap to win by six seconds.

It might have been a bigger advantage, but Herijgers wasted seconds with a celebratory skip off and on to his bike in the home straight. Roger Hammond, of Britain, the junior world champion two years ago, finished 33rd, 5min 16sec behind him.