Cobbles and 'Cross - a match made in heaven.

Rob Peeters (Telenet Fidea) works to crest the grassy side of the Koppenberg climb - Photo Credit: Photopress.be

The Koppenbergcross leg of the BPost Bank trofee cyclocross series is always a highlight of the European cyclocross season. Much like a win in a road cycling classic, a victory at the Koppenberg can make a Cyclocross specialists season a success all on it's own. - especially if you're from Belgium. Needless to say Belgian Tom Meeusen must be pleased tonight after capitalizing on all of the potential shown in his young career by taking his biggest win so far on the hills around Oudenaarde. He showed a finishing strength that we hadn't seen from him in the past and rode away from compatriot Kevin Pauwels to take the top step on a hotly contested final lap. Current Superprestige series leader Klaus Vantornout finished out the podium ahead of the German Philipp Walsleben in fourth and the World Champ Sven Nyes only 10 seconds back in fifth, no doubt a disappointment to the defending Koppenberg champion and winner of 8 of the last 9 editions. 

Although the BPost Bank trofee is the newest of the big CX series on the European calendar, it is arguably as important as any of the others. With races like the Koppenberg taking a back seat only to the World Championships and maybe few other events, it's a series to pay attention to as the season progresses. 

Take a look at some raw footy from Cyclocross Online here:

Oh - and Sunday follows this race up with the always epic Zonhoven Superprestige. A sandy beast of a course that always equals mayhem and provides some of the best racing and viewing of the year. Head over to Cyclingfans.com to check it out.