Northwave's youngster Michael Vanthourenhout (Sunweb-Napoleon Games) took the overall leadership in the Superprestige Under 23 series after the fifth round, in Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), on Sunday November 23rd.

The Belgian prospect, equipped with Extreme Tech MTB Plus, claimed the second place behind countryman Wout Van Aert (Vastgoedservice), the winner of yesterday's World Cup round in Koksijde. Vanthourenhout provided a gutty attacking performance, but he had to surrender to the rival with just hundredths meters to go. The athlete sponsored by Italian brand leads the prestigious circuit with 3 round to go thanks to the consistent performances showed in the first part of the season.

Vanthourenhout's teammate, Klaas Vantornout, placed sixth in the Elite race won by another Sunweb's athlete, Kevin Pauwels, ahead of Lars Van der Haar (Giant-Shimano), whilst Tom Meeusen (Telenet-Fidea) completed the podium. Czech biker Pavla Havlikova (Telenet-Fidea) finished sixth in the Women race won by Brit Nikki Harris.

Good news for Northwave also from Switzerland thanks to two Italian youngsters, Elena Valentini and Lorenzo Calloni. Selle Italia-Guerciotti's athlete clinched victory in Schlosscross' Women race, in Rheinfelden, whilst Cadrezzate-Guerciotti's rider won in the Cadet category.