Ancuta Bobocel in Roeselare (© organisers)
Roeselare, BelgiumLocal favourite Pieter Desmet turned out victorious in the men’s Lotto Cross Cup Sunday (25) afternoon in Roeselare after a tough battle against Benjamin Kiplagat from Uganda. The women’s race was dominated by the 20-year-old Romanian Ancuta Bobocel who easily held off Susanne Hahn-Ritter from Germany and her compatriot Paula Todoran. Their versatility as excellent steeplechasers was certainly helpful for Desmet and Bobocel in catching victory on a truly challenging course.
Bobocel carries high hopes for European Cross Country Championships
Bobocel went to the lead immediately and she did not cast any doubt about her intentions to make it a fast race. Mimi Belete, an Ethiopian-born athlete who lives in Belgium as a political refugee, came from behind to join Bobocel in the lead. But apparently Belete put too much effort in that. Belete faded dramatically in the second of four laps and was forced to abandon the race. Behind Bobocel, the chase was lead by Belgian Veerle Dejaeghere and Germany’s Hahn-Ritter, followed by Romanian Todoran and Adrienne Herzog of the Netherlands. The rest of the field was literally spread apart by the impressive pace of these leading athletes.
Bobocel never showed any weak moment and cruised to the finish as a confident winner.
“Two weeks ago I finished second in the international cross country of Tilburg (NED) behind Aniko Kalovics from Hungary. My preparation for the European Cross Country Championships on Dec 9th is going fine and this victory today gives me a boost of confidence. I hope to finish on a top spot in Toro (ESP) in two weeks. But my main goals lie on the track. I won silver medals at the World Junior Championships in 2006 and at the European Under 23 Championships this year in the 3000m Steeplechase. And I definitely want to qualify for the Olympic Games in 2008.”
Todoran passed Dejaeghere to finish third behind Hahn-Ritter.
Desmet displays the right tactics
Desmet and Kiplagat went off very fast in the men’s race. Ethiopian Dame Tasame and Krijn Van Koolwijk closed in on the leaders but Kiplagat accelerated once more. It seemed as if Desmet would crack as well, but the Belgian steeplechaser weighed his effort well.
“Benjamin raised the pace too high too early. I knew that I would come back on this demanding course. And that is what happened. In the latter stages of the race my tactics paid off.”
Desmet also looks forward to the European Championships. “I’m in good shape and I feel stronger than I’ve ever been. My target must be to finish in the top 10, but everything will depend upon the quality of the field. But the Spaniards will be hard to beat on their home soil, I guess.”
In the ultimate stages of the race Tasama passed Kiplagat to finish second. 36-year-old Tom Van Hooste qualified for his 7th European Cross Country Championships participation. Van Hooste has a strong record of four top 10 finishes in those championships. Now he mainly counts on contributing to a good team result.
Ivo Hendrix for the IAAF
Leading Results -
Men:
1. Pieter Desmet (BEL) 29:08
2. Dame Tasama (ETH) 29:13
3. Benjamin Kiplagat (UGA) 29:15
4. Krijn Van Koolwijk (BEL) 29:20
5. Tom Van Hooste (BEL) 29:26
Women -
1. Ancuta Bobocel (ROM) 22:07
2. Susanne Hahn-Ritter (GER) 22:09
3. Paula Todoran (ROM) 22:18
4. Veerle Dejaeghere (BEL) 22:24
5. Adrienne Herzog (NED) 22:32
