Preview World Cup Hulst 2023 | How much fireworks will we already get to see on December 30th?

The day after the cross in Loenhout and exactly one day before New Year's Eve, the eleventh of a total of fourteen rounds in the battle for the Cyclo-cross World Cup is scheduled in the Netherlands. In Hulst, we can expect to see many top riders at the starting line. In addition to 'the Big Three', there will be countless other stars racing in the fortified town. IDLProCycling.com tells you all about it!

The Vestingcross in Hulst is a relatively new cyclo-cross event, as it was organized for the first time in 2017. Since 2021, the race has been a part of the renowned World Cup. The race usually makes for some beautiful pictures, as it takes place on the city walls of the fortress.

Over the years, in the men's category, it was mainly Mathieu van der Poel who managed to win in the namesake municipality: the Alpecin-Deceuninck superstar claimed victory no less than five times, including last year. In other editions, the victory went to Tom Pidcock (January 2022) and Eli Iserbyt (October 2020).

Most recent winners World Cup Hulst

2022/2023 Mathieu van der Poel / Puck Pieterse
2021/2022 Tom Pidcock / Lucinda Brand
20/2021 Mathieu van der Poel / Denise Betsema
2019/2020 Eli Iserbyt / Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
2018/2019 Mathieu van der Poel / Denise Betsema
2017/2018 Mathieu van der Poel / Laura Verdonschot
2017/2017 Mathieu van der Poel / Sanne Cant

Course, weather and times World Cup Hulst 2023

Compared to the previous edition, the organizers have no changes in store for us regarding the course. As we mentioned, the cyclo-cross race in Hulst takes place on the city walls of the fortress. The course is characterized by a number of bridges that the riders will have to conquer. The barriers in the course can also become an important factor. There will also be some elevation gain due to the waterline dikes. Fun fact: the riders will even race through an eighteenth-century mill.

Weather

If we are to believe the Dutch meteorologists (and we are more than happy to), the weather will be dry in Hulst and its surroundings on Saturday afternoon. The temperature is expected to rise to around ten degrees Celsius. In short, not the worst of weather for a cyclo-cross race. However, note that near water and the coast (read: like in Hulst), the weather can change quickly!

Times
Start women's race: 1:40 PM
Finish women's race: around 2:30 PM
Start men's race: 3:10 PM
Finish men's race: around 4:15 PM

Favorites men's category World Cup Hulst 2023

They are back! Who? The three best cyclo-cross riders in the world, namely Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert and Tom Pidcock. It makes sense that this trio is also the group of favorites for the Vestingcross, although the Dutchman of course tops the list. Since his cyclo-cross comeback in Herentals, the 28-year-old rider from Kapellen has managed to win everywhere he competed. The Flemish Jumbo-Visma rider and the Brit of INEOS Grenadiers thus missed out whenever MVDP was present. In Essen and Heusden-Zolder (Van Aert) and Namur (Pidcock), they did manage to win - in his absence. Will they manage to defeat Van der Poel in Hulst?

Eli Iserbyt is also participating. The short Flemish Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal rider is in good form, as he showed, for example, in Heusden-Zolder and Antwerp. Moreover, Iserbyt leads the World Cup standings and will - with only three more rounds to go - be eager to make an early bid for the overall victory in that ranking.

In-shape Joris Nieuwenhuis and Lars van der Haar, compatriots and teammates at Baloise Trek Lions, will also race in Hulst. Both men are having an extremely consistent season and can certainly dream of a top five finish (or perhaps even more?!). The same could be said for their Baloise Trek Lions companion Pim Ronhaar, although we must say that he sometimes rides somewhat inconsistently. So, it is still a bit of a guess as to his exact form in Hulst. Finally, we would also like to mention Ryan Kamp (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal), Cameron Mason (Cyclocross Reds), Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and European Champion Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal), although it seems challenging for them to really compete with the top riders.

Favorites men's category World Cup Hulst, according to IDLProCycling.com

Top favorite: Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
Outsiders: Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) and Tom Pidcock (INEOS Grenadiers)
Longshots: Joris Nieuwenhuis, Lars van der Haar, Pim Ronhaar (all three Baloise Trek Lions) and Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal)

Favorites women's category World Cup Hulst 2023

Nearly all the top female riders seem to be participating in Hulst, where the main focus appears to be on a duel between Fem van Empel and Puck Pieterse. After an impressive streak of eleven consecutive victories, Van Empel's run came to an end in Gavere, where she had to concede to her Fenix-Deceuninck rival on Boxing Day. Will we see another classic, exciting battle between the two youngsters on December 30th? The technical course seems to be somewhat in Pieterse's favor.

We should also definitely consider Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions) and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Alpecin-Deceuninck). Both ladies are having an excellent season, with several victories included. Even around the Christmas period, the riders are in top form, which means there's a real chance they could challenge Van Empel and Pieterse in the Vestingcross.

There are also many other notable names on the start list, such as snow queen Manon Bakker (Crelan-Corendon), Inge van der Heijden (Crelan-Corendon), Zoe Bäckstedt (Canyon//SRAM Racing), Marie Schreiber (SD Worx), Annemarie Worst (Cyclocross Reds), Blanka Kata Vas (SD Worx), Anna Kay (Cyclocross Reds) and Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal).

Favorites women's category World Cup Hulst, according to IDLProCycling.com

Top favorites: Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck) and Fem van Empel (Jumbo-Visma)
Outsiders: Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions) and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
Longshots: Manon Bakker (Crelan-Corendon), Blanka Kata Vas (SD Worx), Zoe Bäckstedt (Canyon//SRAM Racing) and Inge van der Heijden (Crelan-Corendon)

TV broadcast World Cup Hulst 2023

There are plenty of options to follow the cyclo-cross from your home, starting from 1:30 PM. Sporza (VRT 1), Eurosport (main channel, Eurosport .nl/Discovery+ and GCN+), a stream via NOS.nl, Proximus Pickx and Telenet Play Sports will all be broadcasting.