Two Rabobank stars finish one-two on prototype Giant TCX bikes

Fans at the 2010 Dutch Cyclo-cross National Championships were treated to the expected battle of Rabobank stars on a frigid day in The Netherlands on Sunday, January10th—and the winner turned out to be a surprise. Defending champion Lars Boom, 24, outsprinted teammate Gerben de Knegt, earning the right to wear the National Champion’s jersey for another year.

Both Boom and de Knegt rode prototype versions of the composite Giant TCX cyclo-cross bike in Heerlend.

Boom, who has shifted his focus to road racing, rode his first ’cross race of the season last week. The lackluster 22nd place finish at the GP Groenendaal in Sint Michelgestel indicated he wasn’t in top cyclo-cross form.

De Knegt, meanwhile, has shown steady progress throughout the season and was favoured to take the title on Sunday. After two injury-plagued years, the 2006 Dutch National Champion has had a string of top finishes at major international events this year.

Sunday’s race yielded the anticipated battle, with the two Rabobank riders fighting to the finish. In the end, Boom outsprinted his teammate to make one of his only ’cross races of the year one to remember.

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