Geert Lauryssen (last week 2nd in Heicross). Picture: Paul Van Riel
The cross-duathlon in Etten-Leur has already had 11 Belgian wins in its ranking. Two weeks ago, a twelfth victory was added. Just as Wout Van Aert would outshine his competition one hour later in Valkenburg, so did Geert Lauryssen. Another parallel with the WC CX: one and two were occupied by Belgians, before the first Dutchman. Even though a Romanian set out to claim the podium.
Ciprian Balanescu came third in the 2016 EC cross-duathlon at Targu Mures and is multiple national champion in both tri- and duathlon in Romania. He was the only one able to follow Geert Lauryssen and Wouter Wuilmus during the first run. Since this season he’s been training with Dutch coach Armand Vander Smissen and managed to fix a hand-me-down MTB to participate in the race. Ironically, a mechanical stopped him during the first lap on the bike. No mechanical for Geert, who increased the gap on Wouter lap after lap. The 2015 winner faced a 2 minute gap after the bike leg on the 2012 and 2016 winner. Geert took his third victory in Etten-Leur, a race record. Wuilmus came second, Arie De Jong third in more than 5 minutes and was the first Dutchman.
Geert takes his second win this year after the New Years Run in Antwerp. Last winter he also took victory in Wommelgem, Wuustwezel and Maastrichts cross-duathlon.
Original article by Hans Cleemput on 3athlon.be one 07/02/2018
Translation by @T0v3