The Cyclo-cross World Cup says goodbye to Belgium
Next Sunday, January 8, the last race on Belgian soil of the 2022-2023 Cyclo-Cross World Cup will be held, since the last two events of the year will take place in Spain (Benidorm) and France (Besançon). The spectacular circuit in the Zonhoven pit, with its numerous climbs and descents on sand, is the perfect setting for a grand farewell to the country of cyclocross.
Favorites women’s race
Puck Pieterse (1200), Fem Van Empel (1200) and Shirin Vaan Anrooij (1000) have split all the victories this season, although the sand course can provide a chance for riders such as Denise Betsema (1200), Lucinda Brand (1200), Marianne Vos (1200) or Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (1000).
Favorite men's race
Mathieu Van der Poel (1000) and Wout Van Aert (1200) will meet for the umpteenth time, and anything short of a win for one of them would be a big surprise. Laurens Sweeck (1000) is a specialist on sand and is perhaps the main alternative. Eli Iserbyt (1200), Michael Vanthourenthout (1200), Lars Van der Haar (1200) and Quinten Hermans (1200) should also fight for top positions.