News

After the events in Dublin and the canceled race in Sardinia last weekend, this Sunday the Cyclo-cross World Cup returns to Belgium with the Namur race, one of the most prestigious on the calendar. The event, part of the World Cup since the 2011-12 season, takes place around the Citadel of Namur, giving it a toughness often compared to a mountain bike course.

Course

As mentioned, the race takes place on the slopes of the hill where the Citadel of Namur is located, featuring constant climbs and descents with very few flat sections.

Favorites in the Women's Race

Puck Pieterse (1200) makes her season debut in Namur and starts as one of the main favorites, along with Fem Van Empel (1200), Lucinda Brand (1000), and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (1200). Zoe Backstedt (600), Blanka Kata Vas (800), Sara Casasola (400), and Inge Van Der Heijden (1000) are also contenders for strong finishes.

Favorites in the Men's Race

Fans will still have to wait to see Wout Van Aert (1200), Mathieu Van der Poel (1000), and Thomas Pidcock (800) compete in cyclo-cross this season. Thus, the favorites for the men's race remain those who have been excelling so far this year: Eli Iserbyt (1200), Michael Vanthourenhout (1000), Lars Van Der Haar (1200), Laurens Sweeck (1200), Pim Ronhaar (800), Thibau Nys (600), Niels Vandeputte (1000), and Felipe Orts (600) are the standout names at the Namur starting line.

Photo: © UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup