We back, fam!
The UCI CX World Cup resumes Friday in Gavere, Belgium, with the traditional Boxing Day stop after riders had a few days off to enjoy Christmas. Most of the big names will race on Friday, along with several Canucks.
MvdP goes for 5
World champion Mathieu van der Poel will be there after going four for four in his ‘cross season thus far. MvdP has taken dubs in Gavere in each of the past three years. His long-time rival Wout van Aert will sit out the race as part of his holiday schedule. But don’t worry–we have a few more duels left between The Big Two.
Van der Poel’s Alpecin–Deceuninck teammate Tibor Del Grosso arrives after snagging his first elite international victory last weekend at Heusden-Zolder. The Dutch champion finished seventh in Gavere a year ago, but should fare better on Friday.
Belgian champ Thibau Nys is expected to start, along with former European champion Michael Vanthourenhout. Other favourites (most likely racing for second, given that the world champ is there) include Lars van der Haar and Toon Aerts. Canada will be represented in the men’s race by Rhett Bates and Liam Sargeant.
The Gavere circuit features repeated steep climbs, technical descents and running sections on the slopes above the Scheldt. The course produced larger time gaps than on other circuits.
In the women’s race, former world champion Lucinda Brand returns to a venue she has won twice. Puck Pieterse, Shirin van Anrooij and Blanka Vas are among the expected starters. Canadians Nico Knoll, Dorothée Peron and Siobhan Kelly are also entered.
To watch the race, you can tune into FloBikes.com. As always, check back here on Canadian Cycling Magazine for a full report on each race. Coverage for the women’s race begins at 7:30 a.m. ET, with the men’s following following.
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