"It will be hectic and dramatic" - Experts expect thrilling fight for European Championship on Sunday

This Sunday, the first major jersey of the Cyclocross season is up for grabs is Spain at the 2024 European Championships. Michael Vanthourenhout has emerged victorious the last two years, but it could be a much harder to predict fight this time around, according to experts.

"It's a lot harder. The men will be the category that delivers the most exciting races. That used to be different," explains Paul Herygers in a preview for Sporza alongside Ruben van Gucht. But what of the favourites? Van Gucht puts forward the name of Lars van der Haar, fresh off the back of his Koppenbergcross triumph on Friday afternoon in Belgium.

"He's not getting any younger, of course. You take that into account. There are a lot of young talents in his team. You would think that he would launch those guys soon, because that's how you normally end your career," Herygers answers thoughtfully. "But that is not the case with Van der Haar. He is still a finisher. Nys' team still needs him to win."

In truth though, Herygers doesn't see much similarities between Koppenberg and the European Championship course and as such, can't see Van der Haar being able to carry that form into Sunday afternoon. "That all fades away. Let me go back in time: there were riders who couldn't win a flat prize here, but who would excel in Spain two days later," he explains. "That is also the case today. It is perfectly possible that a rider will emerge who was only 5th or 6th here and will soon turn the whole of Spain upside down. If Sunday's race would have the same level of difficulty as here, I would take it. But we just said it: there are riders like Van der Haar who can handle anything."

"It will be a very pleasant race to watch. I expect a closed group and then at some point maybe a daredevil who will shake things up. It could be that they will put the block on and that rider can ride away," Herygers concludes. "Then I think of Pontchâteau with Toon Aerts, for example. It could be that way. But it could also be that we get tension until the full final. Then it will be hectic and dramatic for some. I fear that it will be the latter option."