Superprestige Diegem set for first new winner in over ten years as Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert skip night race

The Superprestige Diegem is set to light up the cyclocross calendar tonight, promising to be one of the most exciting races of the Christmas period. However, this year’s edition will feature a notable absence as neither Mathieu van der Poel nor Wout van Aert will take to the start line.

Van der Poel, who has been in unstoppable form this season with five wins from five races since returning to cyclocross earlier this month, is sitting this one out. Van Aert, the Dutchman’s arch rvial, is also absent.

This creates a rare and historic opportunity: for the first time since 2013, there will be a winner of the Superprestige Diegem other than Van der Poel or Van Aert.

Van der Poel has dominated the event in recent years, winning it seven times, while Van Aert claimed victory in 2022. The only exceptions to their reign came during the two years without races in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID. The duo’s absence from the field has caused a stir among the events organisers, as the two marquee riders often bring more fans to the event. Having said that, given Van der Poel’s dominant form, perhaps it is a good thing for the competitiveness of the race for first place that he is absent. So far this season, in races he has been present, the others have all been racing for second place behind him.

The last time someone else stood atop the podium in Diegem was in 2013, when Sven Nys took the win. Tom Meeusen and Niels Albert completed the podium that year, with Nys going on to secure the overall Superprestige title for the season.

With no Van der Poel or Van Aert, the men’s race is wide open. Two clear favourites emerge: Laurens Sweeck and Thibau Nys. Nys, the reigning European champion, has the added motivation of potentially replicating his father Sven Nys’s victory from 2013. However, the field is far from a two-horse race. Niels Vandeputte, who has shown promising form this season, could also pose a serious threat and will be hoping for another strong showing tonight.

The women’s race will also see a shake-up, as both Fem van Empel and Puck Pieterse, two of the top riders of late, are absent. Van Empel is not racing having won the World Cup Besancon yesterday, and Pieterse has been sidelined due to illness.

This paves the way for other contenders to take centre stage. Lucinda Brand, a seasoned competitor with a strong record in Superprestige events, will undoubtedly be a favourite. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, known for her technical skill and speed, is also expected to mount a strong challenge.

The Superprestige Diegem has long been a highlight of the cyclocross season, with its fast-paced and spectator-friendly course providing countless memorable moments. In 2013, Sanne Cant triumphed in the women’s race, a title she would reclaim two more times in 2017 and 2018. More recently, Puck Pieterse has made her mark on Diegem, winning the last two editions in 2022 and 2023, and her absence this year ensures a new winner will be crowned in the women’s race as well.

With the absence of the usual dominant figures, both the men’s and women’s races are set to deliver unpredictability and excitement. Will Thibau Nys follow in his father’s footsteps? And can Lucinda Brand or Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado seize the moment in the women’s race?