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Next weekend, the last two rounds of the 2024-2025 Cyclo-cross World Cup will be held. On Saturday in Maasmechelen (Belgium) and Sunday in Hoogerheide (Netherlands), the current leaders of the overall World Cup standings, Lucinda Brand (1000) and Michael Vanthourenthout (1000), will hope to capitalize on their respective leads to take home the annual trophy.

For many other riders, however, these races are the final tune-up before the World Championships, which will take place the following weekend in Liévin, France. For Cycling Fantasy users, remember that the World Championships also count toward the annual Cyclo-cross standings in the app.

 
Courses

Maasmechelen hosts a World Cup race for the third consecutive year, on a circuit that in previous editions was criticized by some riders due to the abundance of stones along the course. The circuit features sharp corners, steep inclines, and a fairly long sand section, requiring riders to dismount at several points.

The Hoogerheide circuit, in turn, is the GP Adrie Van Der Poel, which honors the World Champion in both road and cyclocross, and father of Mathieu Van Der Poel (1000), Adrie Van Der Poel. If it doesn’t rain and the terrain is not muddy, it is a fairly fast course.

 
Favorites for the women’s races

Fem Van Empel (1200), Lucinda Brand (1000), Puck Pieterse (1200), Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado (1200), Marianne Vos (1000), Blanka Vas (800), and Marie Schreiber (800) are the main favorites for the two women’s races.

 
Favorites for the men’s races

In Maasmechelen, we will see the second and final head to head of the season between Mathieu Van Der Poel (1000) and Wout Van Aert (1200), and they are the big favorites. However, riders like Eli Iserbyt (1200), Michael Vanthourenthout (1200), Toon Aerts (200), Lars Van Der Haar (1000), and especially Thibau Nys (600) could surprise. On Sunday in Hoogerheide, without Van Aert, all the favoritism will fall on Van Der Poel’s shoulders.

Photo: © UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup