The day after the Superprestige in Heusden-Zolder, another race in the battle for the coveted and well-known Superprestige classification is on the agenda. On Thursday, December 28th, Diegem is the setting for the sixth round. IDLProCycling.com is happy to bring you up to speed about this very special edition!
After two years of absence due to COVID-19, the cyclo-cross of Diegem returned to the calendar last season, undoubtedly causing great satisfaction for Mathieu van der Poel. However, archrival Wout van Aert managed to prevent a spectacular seven-time victory of the Alpecin-Deceuninck star under the artificial race lights. The Jumbo-Visma all-rounder seemed a bit shaken at first but recovered strongly and ultimately soloed impressively to the victory.
We are, of course, very curious to see if we will get to witness a delightful spectacle this year as well. Unfortunately, that will have to happen without Van Aert. Van der Poel and Pidcock (last year's runner-up) are thankfully present! In the introduction of this preview, we spoke of a very special edition. Why? Because gentlemen like Average Rob (known from YouTube) and Bas Tietema ('I have never been on a cyclocross bike before') will be present at the popular evening race in the village of 6,000 inhabitants just outside of Brussels, Belgium. Average Rob - who recently recorded a video with Van der Poel as the main character - wanted to know what it's like to complete a cyclo-cross race and managed to arrange it after many complications. "There is a 45-minute break provided between the elite women and men, so that Eén can broadcast the show 'Thuis'", the video maker explained on Twitter.
2022/2023 Wout van Aert / Puck Pieterse2021/2022 Cancelled2020/2021 Cancelled
2019/2020 Mathieu van der Poel / Annemarie Worst
2018/2019 Matieu van der Poel / Sanne Cant
2017/2018 Mathieu van der Poel / Sanne Cant
2016/2017 Mathieu van der Poel / Marianne Vos
2015/2016 Mathieu van der Poel / Ellen Van Loy
2014/2015 Mathieu van der Poel / Marianne Vos
2013/2014 Sven Nys / Sanne Cant
The course of the race in Diegem has not changed compared to the previous edition. The circuit is precisely 3,463 meters long, of which more than two-thirds is unpaved. The riders will encounter a sandpit, various barriers, multiple bridges and stairs in the course, which is raced under artificial light in the province of Flemish Brabant. All in all, this traditionally results in a fierce duel.
Weather
If we are to believe the Belgian meteorologists (and we are more than happy to), it will stay dry in Diegem and its surroundings on Thursday evening. The temperature is expected to rise to around ten degrees Celsius. In short, not the worst of weather for a cyclo-cross race!
Times
Start women's race: 7 PM
Finish women's race: around 7:45 PM
Start men's race: 8:45 PM
Finish men's race: around 9:45 PM
In Diegem, there is of course only one top favorite: Mathieu van der Poel. In the absence of his Belgian archrival, he is even more the pronounced favorite. Since his cyclo-cross return in Herentals, the man has managed to win everything that was up for grabs. Sometimes the Alpecin-Deceuninck star seems almost flawless and nearly perfect in his cyclo-cross races. All the more reason to place him at the top of this ranking!
The biggest threat to Van der Poel seems to come from the British corner. Tom Pidcock has also started his cyclo-cross winter strongly, with a second place in Herentals and a win in Namen. Pidcock seemed to have good credentials to claim victory last year as well, if it were not for Van Aert who ultimately took the win. The INEOS Grenadiers rider finished second, almost half a minute ahead of Van der Poel. Could we perhaps see an exciting duel between the two versatile gentlemen? Note: Pidcock became ill after his victory in Namen, leading to a modest eighth place in Antwerp. So it remains to be seen if he is fully recovered.
Can Pidcock give Van der Poel a hard time?
Also, a number of the protagonists from the opening months of the cyclo-cross season will be present in Diegem. We consider them outsiders for this Superprestige, although Eli Iserbyt has a bit of an edge. The small Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal rider is not leading the UCI ranking for nothing. In Antwerp, he also finished an impressive third, not far behind Van Aert. Furthermore, we are also looking at a strong trio riding for Baloise Trek Lions: Lars van der Haar, Joris Nieuwenhuis and Pim Ronhaar. These Dutch riders are all having a great season, with several victories included. Finally, we are also curious to see what Thibau Nys (also a member of the Baloise Trek Lions brigade) can pull off. The same goes for guys like Quinten Hermans, Niels Vandeputte (both Alpecin-Deceuninck), Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal), Laurens Sweeck and Toon Vandebosch (both Crelan-Corendon).
Top favorite: Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
Outsiders: Tom Pidcock (INEOS Grenadiers) and Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal)
Longshots: Joris Nieuwenhuis, Lars van der Haar and Pim Ronhaar (all three Baloise Trek Lions)
The virtually unbeatable Fem van Empel will not be participating in Diegem, automatically making Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) and Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions) the women to beat. Pieterse - a formidable opponent for Van Empel last year - triumphed only once so far this winter (very recently in Gavere), but she always finished on the podium. Brand knows all too well what it's like to win. The 34-year-old lady from Dordrecht did so three times this season: in Dublin, Flamanville and Mol. Occasionally, she even makes things difficult for Van Empel. Worth keeping an eye on, for sure!
Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado, the leader of the UCI ranking, is also present in Diegem. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider has never won there before. With six victories already under her belt, she will be highly motivated to travel to the Brussels area. Shirin van Anrooij (Baloise Trek Lions) will also be in Diegem. After a difficult cyclo*cross comeback - due to not touching her cyclocross bike for seven weeks - in Mol she showed what she is capable of, finishing a strong second. Van Anrooij is known as a sand specialist, something that could certainly work to her advantage in Diegem.
Will Brand manage another win in Diegem?
Annemarie Worst is currently leading the battle for the Superprestige classification and will certainly want to maintain that top position. The Cyclocross Reds rider is sometimes a bit inconsistent, but this also means that there are often very high peaks in her performance. Will this be the case on the 'fourth Christmas Day'? We also like to note the names of Zoe Bäckstedt, in-form Laura Verdonschot (De Ceuster - Bonache), top starter Marie Schreiber (SD Worx), 'sand queen' Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) and Aniek van Alphen (Cyclocross Reds).
Top favorites: Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) and Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions)
Outsiders: Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Alpecin-Decuninck) and Shirin van Anrooij (Baloise Trek Lions)
Longshots: Zoe Bäckstedt, Laura Verdonschot (De Ceuster - Bonache) and Aniek van Alphen (Cyclocross Reds)
You can follow the cyclo-cross in Diegem from 7 PM onwards on Sporza (women, VRT Canvas - men, VRT1), Eurosport (main channel, Eurosport.nl/Discovery+ and GCN+) and a stream from Telenet Play Sports."