Besançon, the last one of the year
The next round of the Cyclo-cross World Cup will take place in Besançon, France, next Sunday, December 29. Thus, the French race will be the last event contested in Cycling Fantasy this 2024, and we will enjoy many of the main cyclo-cross stars, such as Mathieu Van Der Poel (1000) or legend Marianne Vos (1000).
Course
The Besançon circuit is mostly fast, with little elevation change and many grassy sections. If it rains, some sections could become muddy, but even so, it is a more rideable circuit than the most recent ones visited by the World Cup.
Favorites – Women's Race
As mentioned, eight-time Cyclo-cross World Champion Marianne Vos (1000) will be the main attraction in the women's race, as Besançon will mark her debut in the discipline this season.
Fem Van Empel (1200), Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (1200), Lucinda Brand (1000), Marie Schreiber (800), Zoe Backstedt (600), and Kata Blanka Vas (800) complete the list of favorites.
Favorites – Men's Race
It seems unlikely that anyone will be able to challenge Mathieu Van Der Poel (1000) for the victory, as he has achieved a perfect record so far this year (3 out of 3 wins).
Michael Vanthourenhout (1000), Laurens Sweeck (1200), Eli Iserbyt (1200), Lars Van Der Haar (1200), Pim Ronhaar (800), Niels Vandeputte (1000), Felipe Orts (600), Joran Wyseure (600), and Toon Aerts (200) are the main alternatives if Van Der Poel has an issue.
Photo: © UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup