Beekse Bergen hosts a World Cup event for the first time
The Safaripark Beekse Bergen, on the outskirts of the Dutch town of Tilburg, is the largest zoo in the Benelux, and will be the setting for the next Cyclocross World Cup race. In fact, it will be the first time that a World Cup event will be contested there and the circuit will also be premiered, as it has little to do with, for example, the dutch national championships that have been organized there in the past. The new circuit is quite fast and does not include big climbs, but it is quite varied in terms of surfaces, with areas of sand, forest, grass and asphalt.
Favorites women's race
Fem Van Empel (1200) is flying and is the big favorite for the women's race. On paper, her main rivals should be Denise Betsema (1200), Lucinda Brand (1200), Marianne Vos (1200), Puck Pieterse (1200), Annemarie Worst (1000), Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (1000), Inge Van Der Heijden (1000), Kata Blanka Vas (800) and Shirin Van Anrooij (1000).
Favorites men's race
CX World Cup leader Eli Iserbyt (1200) did not finish the European Championships due to a left leg pain and there are doubts over his form, although if he is ok, he should be counted as the biggest favorite. Other candidates for victory are Michael Vanthourenhout (1200), Lars Van Der Haar (1200) or Laurens Sweeck (1000). The rest of the participants seem to be a step behind this quartet.