That went fast, didn’t it! Seems like yesterday it was September and ‘cross was coming. Well it came, and it’s about to end on Sunday. Oostmalle, Belgium will host the finale of the cyclocross season with the Internationale Sluitingsprijs. The weekend is traditionally the last race of the winter calendar–hence the Flemish word, Sluitingsprijs, which translates to closing prize.
The race takes place around a former military airfield. Organizers expect up to 6,000 fans for the festive season-ending event.
In the women’s race, European champion Inge van der Heijden will be there. Dutch national champ Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado and Marion Norbert Riberolle are also likely to race in the elite women’s race.
CX stars Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert are busy getting ready for the road season, so don’t expect to see them. Van der Poel’s last race was the worlds, where he made elite men’s history by taking an eighth title.
Rafaelle Carrier on Superprestige podium: ‘Couldn’t believe I was riding in the top five”
But defending champion Joris Nieuwenhuis, Michael Vanthourenhout, and Niels Vandeputte will mix it up one last time this season. There will also be no Canucks–they’ve all gone back to Europe or warmer climes to prepare for their road and MTB seasons. But Canadians had some great performances. Rafaelle Carrier was impressive, as were some of the juniors who had excellent rides in several races.
After the races, riders and fans head to the festival tent for a final drink and dance—a perfect send-off to another awesome cyclocross season.
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Canadian Cycling Magazine…