Preview. The 1st of November is every year a key day of the cyclocross season. Many call it the true start of the season. The Koppenbergcross is one of the toughest tracks of the year and one that has the biggest reputation. It marks the start of the X20 Badkamers Trofee.
The track should not be too wet, but relatively normal and compact - not completely dry. The wind will blow very hard on the day but it's not a track where that should make much of a difference. It is one of the most difficult of the year for good reason, as the riders climb the steepest section of the Koppenberg every lap and finish atop it - where they should fight for every second for the cup classification. Outside of the cobbles however, it will be a constant up and down on heavy terrain in the hillside, with plenty technical descents, and grinding ramps.
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The women's race should be a rather simple one to decide. This will be Fem van Empel against the world, and in this instance the world stands little chance. The absence of Puck Pieterse and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, the two riders who have been able to relatively match her in the past few weeks, makes it an easier task for the World Champion who under normal circumstances should take the victory. It will be all about staying safe on the bike, avoiding crashes, and she should dominate the course.
Behind her will be the fight for second place. Some figures are definitely missing here. Denise Betsema who enjoys the climbs should be favourite number two. Alongside her Aniek van Alphen, Anna Kay and Sanne Cant. With the European Championships close, many decided to put their focus elsewhere too.
When it comes to the men's race however there isn't a huge lack of names. Laurens Sweeck, the 'big three' and a few other figures are not present, but otherwise we have a great show on our hands. The cup is also important for a few riders, not just this specific race. Lars van der Haar was the winner last year and comes off the back of a brilliant win in Maasmechelen. Could he be the main favourite to start the X20 on the right foot?
He won't have an easy task. Michael Vanthourenhout is also a fan of climbing routes - he directly defeated van der Haar in Namur last year and could do the same here. Pauwels Sauzen will have two cards as Eli Iserbyt also comes in as a big contender for victory. Feeling on the day will matter a lot, Iserbyt was second last year and also in this weekend's world cup. They will all face Thibau Nys who is a bit of a wildcard. Definitely in great form but I am not sure how he will be able to tackle such a route. Jens Adams who was fourth last year will be interesting to see, Cameron Mason also another very interesting figure, and then the likes of Emiel Verstrynge and Pim Ronhaar will also definitely be capable of fighting for a strong position on the day.
The women's race will start at 11:50 local time and is estimated to finish at 12:40 local time. The men's race is set to start at 14:00 local time and is estimated to finish at around 15:05 local time.
You can watch the broadcast of the race at the UCI website; GCN+/Eurosport Player internationally. Apart from that, as it is a X20 Badkamers Trofee event, only Sporza (Belgium) will broadcast the race.
PREDICTIONS:
Women's Elite
*** Fem van Empel
** Denise Betsema, Aniek van Alphen
* Anna Kay, Sanne Cant, Jana Dobbelaere
Men's Elite
*** Lars van der Haar
** Michael Vanthourenhout, Eli Iserbyt
* Thibau Nys, Cameron Mason, Pim Ronhaar
Preview written by Rúben Silva.
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