Mario de Clercq salvaged his world cyclo-cross title with a last-lap attack yesterday, but his triumph received a chilly reception from a fellow Belgian.

He beat his compatriot Erwin Vervecken by eight seconds in a repeat of last year's championship in Denmark, but Vervecken was angry after the 29.8-kilometre race in sub-zero conditions.

"I cannot be happy because last year I played my role when Mario went ahead, and I let him win. This year he came after me when I was leading. But I will not say any more than that."

De Clercq, third as the final lap began, caught Vervecken who had lost ground when he collided with a spectator on the hillside circuit at Spisska Teplica village. "When I saw he was no more than 20 metres ahead I closed the gap," said de Clercq. "I have my ambitions and my sponsor to think of."

Matthew Kelly, 17, from Wisconsin, claimed his first world cyclo-cross title in the junior race.