Superprestige 2025/26 standings update: Inge van der Heijden tightens grip as Niels Vandeputte wrestles men’s lead away after Merksplas shake-up
Cyclocross
Four rounds into the 2025/26 Telenet Superprestige and both classifications have taken a significant turn after a dramatic afternoon in Merksplas.
The women’s race has begun to settle into a clearer hierarchy, with Inge van der Heijden tightening her grip on the overall lead after another strong display.
The men’s competition, by contrast, delivered its biggest twist of the season so far as the long-standing leader was finally dislodged after a tense and technical round.
As the Superprestige heads into its mid-season phase, Merksplas has reshaped the momentum on both sides — and the series looks more tightly contested than ever.
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Men: Vandeputte moves into the lead as Nieuwenhuis and Verstrynge surge
For the first time this season, Michael Vanthourenhout no longer sits on top of the Superprestige standings. His eighth-place finish in Merksplas opened the door for a change, and Niels Vandeputte — runner-up on the day — seized the opportunity to move ahead by two points.
Behind them, the biggest winner was Joris Nieuwenhuis. His victory in Merksplas brought him to 47 points, launching him directly into the overall podium battle. With momentum shifting heavily in his favour after two strong rounds, the Dutchman is now only six points off the lead.
Emiel Verstrynge’s consistency continues to define his campaign. Third on the day, he leaves Merksplas on 45 points, still firmly in the hunt and now part of a tightly packed leading quartet separated by just eight points.
Further back, Jente Michels consolidates fifth place, while Toon Vandebosch remains sixth. Laurens Sweeck and Joran Wyseure sit locked on 26 points each, and Cameron Mason jumps to 18 points after another top-five ride.
Top 10 Men after 4 Rounds
| Pos | Rider | Points | Behind leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Niels Vandeputte | 53 | - |
| 2 | Michael Vanthourenhout | 51 | +2 |
| 3 | Joris Nieuwenhuis | 47 | +6 |
| 4 | Emiel Verstrynge | 45 | +8 |
| 5 | Jente Michels | 39 | +14 |
| 6 | Toon Vandebosch | 30 | +23 |
| 7 | Laurens Sweeck | 26 | +27 |
| 8 | Joran Wyseure | 26 | +27 |
| 9 | Witse Meeussen | 25 | +28 |
| 10 | Pim Ronhaar | 20 | +33 |
Women: Van der Heijden extends lead, but Van Alphen and Brand close in
The women’s classification remains fiercely contested, but Merksplas has clarified the hierarchy at the top. Inge van der Heijden, fourth on the day, stretches her overall lead to 50 points, maintaining her reputation as the most reliable rider in the series.
However, Aniek van Alphen’s second place in Merksplas brings her just one point off the top — and with momentum on her side, the Superprestige looks increasingly like a straight duel between the pair heading into Hamme.
Amandine Fouquenet keeps herself firmly in contention on 46 points, while Lucinda Brand’s victory projects her back into the overall narrative. Now on 44 points, and with form surging, she may yet turn the top-three battle into a three-rider fight.
Further back, Helene Clauzel remains fifth on 37 points, with Julie Brouwers sixth after another strong ride. Several riders — including Casasola, Betsema and Norbert-Riberolle — remain well-placed, but the consistency shown by the Dutch trio at the top is beginning to create a gap.
Top 10 Women after 4 Rounds
| Pos | Rider | Points | Behind leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inge van der Heijden | 50 | - |
| 2 | Aniek van Alphen | 49 | +1 |
| 3 | Amandine Fouquenet | 46 | +4 |
| 4 | Lucinda Brand | 44 | +6 |
| 5 | Helene Clauzel | 37 | +13 |
| 6 | Julie Brouwers | 32 | +18 |
| 7 | Sara Casasola | 29 | +21 |
| 8 | Denise Betsema | 27 | +23 |
| 9 | Marion Norbert-Riberolle | 25 | +25 |
| 10 | Leonie Bentveld | 23 | +27 |
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- It would likely be a very steep section of 4.1 km, not changing the average gradient considerably, with the climb remaining 10.1 km at 11.8%. It would reach 20% on the gravel. It would start 1.6 km in, and finish with 4.2 km left to climb (before the short final descent)
Rafionain-Glas02-11-2026 - Welcome to the off-season.
santiagobenites02-11-2026 - guillaume martin is wuite a surprise as a gc rider.Ketterechts02-11-2026
- Who cares what Bruyneel thinks. He and his best mate Lance, the biggest fraud in the history of sport, have no place commenting on anything but how to lie and cheat!whit2pet02-11-2026
- Eeesh!Lozza02-11-2026
- bravo! a rider likes jonas needs motivation and he needs to believe in being able to reach goals. he - like anybody else in the world - doesn't believe that he can win the tdf with pogi present. and what's it worth for when pogi is not there? second class victory only. he has checked all three grand tours, so what is left if not retire? the classics! go for it, jonas!Ketterechts02-11-2026
- i am sure that under the pretext of medical examination a lot worse has happened when they were under.abstractengineer02-11-2026
- dude, Lemond never even was in the same race as Armstrong. He throws all these aspersions on other American riders who might usurp his throne as the greatest ever American racer. He doesn't say a single thing about (foreign) dopers who he actually raced against. Biggest douchebag move ever. I used to revere that guy, now I despise him. His actions are so weird.fatsupermodel02-11-2026
- This is just stupid, You do what you are good at not what you are weak at. He has no results to speak of when he participated. Even Froome, Conatdor had very little. With Pogi there he wont win none of the classics. he is already 30+ with a few years left at the top. It takes years to get good at classics. Is that really worth the effort???abstractengineer02-11-2026
- Sure, little fella.awp02-11-2026
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