Introduction
Niels Albert (born 5 February 1986 in Bonheiden, near Antwerp, Belgium) is a former professional cyclo-cross racing cyclist who currently resides in Tremelo. He became World Champion twice, in 2009 and 2012.
Career
Similarly to Sven Nys, Albert began BMX racing, in which he was two times Belgian National Champion, before switching to cyclo-cross. On 8 October 2006 Albert took his first major senior victory at Grote Prijs Pro Cycling Neerpelt, Belgium. Albert won the first International cyclo-cross of the 2007/08 season with a victory in Erpe-Mere, Belgium. Albert scored another big victory with the Superprestige in Gieten, the Netherlands where riding for the first time in the Elite category of the annual Gieten race, he beat Sven Nys and Lars Boom.
He finished second at the 2008/09 Belgian Cyclo-cross Championships (behind Sven Nys).
In 2009, he became the Cyclo-cross world champion in Hoogerheide, The Netherlands. He took a second World Champion title in 2012, after a solo victory in Koksijde.
His career ended abruptly on 19 May 2014, when Albert, aged 28, announced his retirement as a professional cyclist, due to heart problems.
Palmarès
Cyclo-cross
Road
- 2007
- 3rd Overall Boucles de la Mayenne
- 2009
- 1st Stage 1 Mi-Août Bretonne
- 1st Prologue Boucles de la Mayenne
- 4th Overall Tour Alsace
- 1st Stages 2 & 5
- 2010
- 5th Overall Circuito Montañes
- 1st Stage 6
- 2011
- 1st Stage 2 Tour Alsace
- 7th Overall Boucles de la Mayenne
- 2013
- 8th Ronde van Limburg