Marianne Vos (Rabo Liv Women) geared up for the defence of her rainbow jersey by beating British champion Helen Wyman (Kona Factory) to win the final World Cup race of the season.

The Dutch superstar overtook early leader Wyman and powered to her second victory of the season, with the double European champion holding firm to take second ahead of next weekend’s World Championships in Hoogerheide.

American Katie Compton (Trek), who was already assured of overall victory prior to the race, was forced to abandon however after suffering from asthma related to a grass pollen allergy.

It left Italian ace Eva Lechner (Centro Sportivo Esercito) to round off the podium, after her valiant chase of Wyman saw her cross the line 14 seconds behind the Brit.

Fellow Brit Nikki Harris (Young Telenet-Fidea) missed out on a podium place but was still able to celebrate second place overall after finishing fifth behind Sanne Cant (Enertherm-BKCP).

Cant crashed on the first lap, but bridged back to Harris before sealing fourth with a well-timed acceleration on the final lap.

However, Harris’ fifth place ensured she stayed 14 points clear of Vos – who missed two races through injury – in the overall standings for a career best result.

Van der Haar seals men’s title

While the women’s overall title had already been decided prior to the final race of the season, it was still all to play for in the men’s race with BKCP-Powerplus team-mates Niels Albert and Philipp Walsleben still in touching distance of leader Lars van der Haar (Rabobank).

The Dutchman’s overall advantage never looked in doubt however as he rode comfortably behind the leading group to finish fourth and seal his first overall title.

Up ahead, the race for victory in the final World Cup race of the season went to the wire on the muddy course.

Koppenbergcross winner Tom Meeusen (Telenet-Fidea), Frenchman Francis Mourey (FDJ.fr) and Walsleben were neck-and-neck in the final lap, leaving the Belgian to sprint to victory.

Meeusen had set his stall out immediately, attacking from the off with team-mate Corne van Kessel and Walsleben attacking with him.

Mourey bridged to the leaders but Walsleben’s attack dropped both him and van Kessel, however, while the Dutchman’s challenge faded, Mourey attacked once more.

Meeusen struggled on the early, muddy section of the final lap but with his chances of victory seemingly gone he fought back to set up a sprint finish, which he won comfortably.

British champion Ian Field (Hargroves Cycles) was unable to build on his encouraging performances earlier this season, finishing 35th, but his performances throughout the winter earned him 22nd place overall.

Van der Haar’s overall victory meanwhile means he is the first non-Belgian rider to claim the overall prize since Czech ace Zdenek Stybar in 2010.

Defending champion Albert finished a distant 12th in Nommay, but was able to hold on to third place overall behind van der Haar and Walsleben.

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UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup round seven: Nommay – results

Elite men

1) Tom Meeusen (BEL) – Telenet-Fidea – 1.00.45
2) Francis Mourey (FRA) – FDJ.fr – ST
3) Philipp Walsleben (GER) – BKCP–Powerplus +5”
4) Lars van der Haar (NED) – Rabobank +1.01”
5) Radomir Simunek (CZE) – Kwadro–Stannah +1.18”
6) Kevin Pauwels (BEL) – Sunweb-Napoleon Game +1.23”
7) Wietse Bosmans (BEL) – BKCP-Powerplus +1.30”
8) Rob Peeters (BEL) – Vastgoedservice-Golden Palace same time
9) Bart Aernouts (BEL) – AA Drink Cycling Team +1.39”
10) Klaas Vantornout (BEL) – Sunweb-Napoleon Games +1.51”

Elite women

1) Marianne Vos (NED) – Rabo Liv Women in 44.16
2) Helen Wyman (GBR) – Kona Factory +1.32”
3) Eva Lechner (ITA) – Centro Sportivo Esercito +1.46”
4) Sanne Cant (BEL) – Enertherm–BKCP +2.08”
5) Nikki Harris (GBR) – Young Telenet–Fidea +2.19”
6) Ellen van Loy (BEL) – Young Telenet–Fidea +2’46”
7) Kaitlin Antonneau (USA) – Cannondale P/B Cyclocrossworld.Com +2’54”
8) Hanka Kupfernagel (GER) – RusVelo +3’33”
9) Sophie de Boer (NED) – KDL Cycling +3’37”
10) Marlène Morel Petitgirard (FRA) – Vcc Morteau Montbenoit +3’40”

UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup 2013/14 – final standings

Elite men

1) Lars van der Haar Lars (Ned) – Rabobank – 467 points
2) Philipp Walsleben (Ger) – BKCP-Powerplus – 409
3) Niels Albert (Bel) – BKCP-Powerplus – 392
4) Kevin Pauwels (Bel) – Sunweb-Napoleon Games – 363
5) Francis Mourey (Fra) – FDJ.fr – 340
6) Klaas Vantornout (Bel) – Sunweb-Napoleon Games – 321
7) Tom Meeusen (Bel) – Telenet-Fidea – 309
8) Bart Aernouts (Bel) – AA Drink Cycling Team – 308
9) Rob Peeters (Bel) – Vastgoedservice-Golden Palace – 294
10) Thijs Van Amerongen (Ned) – AA Drink Cycling Team – 279
Others
22) Ian Field (GBR) – Hargroves Cycles – 164

Elite women

1) Katie Compton (USA) – Trek Cyclocross Collective – 350 points
2) Nikki Harris (GBR) – Young Telenet-Fidea – 284
3) Marianne Vos (NED) – Rabo Liv Women Cycling Team – 270
4) Sanne Cant (BEL) – Enertherma-BKCP – 261
5) Helen Wyman (GBR) – Kona Factory – 214
6) Ellen Van Loy (BEL) – Young Telenet-Fidea – 190
7) Eva Lechner (ITA) – Centro Sportivo Esercito – 150
8) Lucie Chainel-Lefevre (FRA) – Ec Stephanois – 145
9) Sophie De Boer (NED) – KDL Cycling Team – 144
10) Pavla Havlikova (CZE) – Young Telenet-Fidea – 139

Others
16) Gabby Durrin (GBR) – Rapha-Focus – 90