VIDEO: 2023 Cyclocross Waterloo World Cup recon - Mud fest on American track

We take a look into the Waterloo track, which opens up the 2023-2024 World Cup in cyclocross. It will be an extremely muddy and tricky race where surprises can be expected.

The weather has not been too nice for the riders. Usually, the races in the USA are known to be quite fast and lacking a bit the technical aspect when compared to the traditional crosses, however rain has fallen quite a lot on Waterloo this week and that will make things different. Right from the start as the riders enter the fields, there is a thin layer of mud all round, with small ruts forming both in the corners and the straight sections.

A third of the circuit in the riders must dismount in a stairs section and then find some tricky corners. Here differences can be made and it will benefit those with good running form. When around 70% of the track is ridden there is another extremely heavy mud section where more running and a good technique will be key to remain in the front. It will be possible to jump the planks but there will be no rest from the tough trail surface. My outlook on this race is that it will not be one with any real tactics. Following wheels will not really matter, starting too strong won't benefit you greatly, it's an absolute grind from start to finish. It will benefit those with good running form and also seated power, and not so much the explosive riders. Could lead to some surprises no doubt.