Niels Vandeputte and Manon Bakker victorious at Cyclocross Heerderstrand in the absence of big figures

In the absence of some of the biggest figures in cyclocross, who are preparing for Overijse, the Cyclocross Heerderstrand provided an opportunity for other figures to thrive and Niels Vandeputte took the opportunity to win the men's race.

The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider showed great signs of evolution last year and took his first win of the winter today, beating Jens Dekker and Kay de Bruyckere. In the women's race Manon Bakker was victorious beating Lauren Molengraaf.