Friday, October 11, 2024 at 1:55 PM
Finally! This weekend the Belgian cyclo-cross season kicks off in Beringen. The first round of the Exact Cross is on the program, and many big names will immediately be in action. We are looking forward to Thibau Nys, Toon Aerts, Fem van Empel and Lucinda Brand, among others. CyclingFlits looks ahead.
History
Last year
Course
The course in Beringen has been adjusted here and there this year. One of the new features is the start and finish location. “There is a construction site next to the previous start and finish location, so we had to move around a bit. The start is now behind the diving center, which has stretched the course somewhat. That is certainly not a bad thing,” course designer Erwin Vervecken tells us.
The other big adjustment is the steep descent. There was a lot of criticism last year after several riders crashed. “We have therefore decided to redesign that descent. Now there is a kink halfway through the descent. It is therefore less steep than last year, which means the speed will also be lower. It will be much more under control now.”
Furthermore, the crossers will climb the mine slag heap, as we are used to in Beringen. Last year it was decided not to send the cross riders to the top anymore, a decision with the Cyclo-Cross Championships in 2026 in mind. The Belgian federation did not want the 2026 Belgian Championship to become a climbing cross.
Program and information
Program Saturday October 12, 2024
2.45 pm: Junior men
4.15pm: Elite women and youth categories
5:30 PM: Elite men
Location
Be-MINE Beringen mine slag heap
Entrance: 16 euros in advance, 18 euros on site. Children up to 12 years old can enter for free.
Practical information
Website organization
Favorites men
There are many big names who will kick off the new cyclo-cross season. The biggest name is hands down Thibau Nys. The Flemish Brabander had a particularly good summer on the road with no fewer than nine victories. His road season ended at the end of August, after which – after a period of rest – he focused on the cyclo-cross season. That did not go without a struggle, because Nys became very ill. His preparation for the cyclo-cross season did not go very smoothly.
The now experienced That is, Iserbyt had good preparation. “Everyone encounters something, but all in all it went well. I’m already pretty good,” the Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal rider said last week CyclingFlits. It is therefore not illogical that we see Iserbyt as the top favorite for Beringen.
Nys, to his own credit, faces doubts at the start of the new season – photo: Cor Vos READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Toon Aerts We would also expect many chances, but he will have to start from the back of the field again due to a lack of UCI points. That is a huge disadvantage, although Aerts proved last year that he can even manage to compete for the podium places. Aerts also finished a very strong tenth at the Gravel World Championships. We also expect a lot from established names Lars van der Haar. The Dutchman from Baloise Trek Lions was again extremely consistent last year with more than 20 finishes in the top 5.
Furthermore, it is something to look forward to Michael Vanthourenhout. He did get sick last week, so it remains to be seen how well he will be. Someone like Lander Loockx should also be able to come close to the podium, but we might expect more from him Niels Vandeputte. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider won his first cross of the season last weekend at the Brumath Bike Festival (C1) and is therefore brimming with confidence.
Other riders to keep an eye on are Emiel Verstrynge and Ryan Kamp. Laurens Sweeck, Pim Ronhaar and Gerben Kuypers are not there yet. The participation of Joris Nieuwenhuis is not yet certain.
Favorites according to WielerFlits
*** That is, Iserbyt
** Thibau Nys, Toon Aerts
* Lars van der Haar, Michael Vanthourenhout, Niels Vandeputte
Favorites women
While it was very exciting for the men last year until the last seconds, it was completely different for the women. Fem van Empel drove away quickly about a year ago, leaving everything and everyone behind him. The chance that that will also be the case this year is not small. Van Empel, who plays for Visma | Lease a Bike is simply by far the best cyclo-cross rider, especially if Puck Pieterse is not there yet.
Lucinda Brand is, however, able to occasionally challenge Van Empel. She did that a number of times last season, despite having a season with a lot of bad luck. Now she had a great summer, so we expect quite a lot from her. Who knows, the Dutch van Baloise could surprise Trek Lions in Beringen.
Brand finished third last year at the World Championships in Tábor – photo: Cor Vos
Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado was one of the many winners last year. She won six crosses and the final classification of the World Cup and the Superprestige. A strong season by the rider from the Roodhooft camp. Last year she was the rider who came closest to Van Empel, although that was by more than a minute.
Behind Van Empel, Brand and Alvarado, we are looking forward to three other Dutch women: Annemarie Worst, Aniek van Alphen in Inge van der Heijden. The three women, who also match very well, are the challengers for the podium. Van Alphen and Van der Heijden have already ridden crosses this season, and with success. Van Alphen has already won twice, Van der Heijden once. Finally, we would like to mention Denise Betsema, Sara Casasola and Marion Norbert Riberolle.
Favorites according to WielerFlits
*** Fem van Empel
** Lucinda Brand, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
* Inge van der Heijden, Aniek van Alphen, Annemarie Worst
Weather and TV
The weather forecast for Saturday is okay. No rain is expected, but it certainly won’t be warm either. The temperatures will be more like autumn, around 12 to 13 degrees Celsius. The crossers should not expect a strong wind in Beringen.
The Exact Cross in Beringen can certainly be watched on television! The cyclocross can be seen live on Sporza – on VRT Canvas -, Eurosport 1 and via the HBO Max and Discovery+ channels. Please note, the cross in Beringen has special starting times. View all TV channels and broadcast times in our TV guide Cycling on TV.
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