(Photo: Chris Henry)

The day's rain subsided but the mud was as soupy as ever as the elite men lined up in the velodrome. The usual suspects were present, with World Cup leader Sven Nys squaring off against world champion Lars Boom. The dark horses were many, as Bart Wellens, Zdenek Stybar, Francis Mourey, and Niels Albert all looked to be on fine form with World's fast approaching. No horse was darker than Erwin Vervecken, who has developed quite a habit of winning in Roubaix, both in his youth in the Paris-Roubaix mountain bike edition, and in recent editions of the cyclo-cross race that has now joined the World Cup calendar.

It was the rainbow jersey of Lars Boom that rocketed from the start and set the early pace with Bart Wellens. Things wouldn't go so smoothly for Boom, however, as a close-fought battle kept the leadership changing in the first thirty minutes. The technical back side of the velodrome delighted fans and made riders nervous with steep descents and minimal traction.

"It's important to stay in front, particularly right after the veldrome," Vervecken explained as he broke down his latest Roubaix victory. 

While some riders took risks and plunged down the course's steepest descent, Vervecken stuck with his gut and opted to avoid unnecessary risk.

"I didn't dare do it because it's dangerous," he admitted freely. "I did it in training, but if you do it nine times, the tenth time might be your last."

Indeed, he acknowledged that riders such as Nys, who suffered two flat tires and a less than perfect start, could gain time with such a maneuver. "These guys could gain five seconds a lap, and that becomes important at the end of the race."

Nys has not exhibited any lack of confidence throughout another dominant season, but he was content to have made the podium through a difficult set of circumstances. He had the strength to join Wellens and Zdenek but could do nothing to surge ahead as Vervecken plowed through the mud. Ultimately Zdenek would succumb to Vervecken's proven sprint, one which has even more snap on his favorite Roubaix track.

"I had a good start but after two or three laps I had a hard time and couldn't ride," Zdenek told Road Bike Action after the race. "For me though this is an important race. I think [the World's in] Hoogerhijde will be a muddy race and I showed today that I can ride a muddy course like this."

Nys too seemed as content as he could be with the lowest step on the podium.

"I think third place is the place I belong in today and I'm very happy with the overall victory in the World Cup," he explained, confirming that he has the points to take home the series trophy. "The power was in my legs, only I can be a little bit better if I can rest a bit more and train like I have to train."

With one more World Cup to go and the frenzied finale at the World Championships, this year's 'cross season is on track to see a deserving winner in Nys and a complement of worthy rivals who have retained enough suspense from week to week.

1. Erwin Vervecken

2. Zdenek Stybar

3. Sven Nys

4. Bart Wellens

5. Niels Albert