Video: 2023 Cyclocross World Championships Hoogerheide track recon

This 4th and 5th of February 2023 will see the Cyclocross World Championships in the track of Hoogerheide.

It will be the climax of the season as riders of several different categories battle for their respective rainbow jerseys. Here you can see the track in detail as shown by Tibor Del Grosso, one of the favourites for the men's under-23 race.

Grey skies will cover the Netherlands this weekend but rain is unlikely. The traditional track of Hoogerheide will be on display this weekend with it's grassy fields, several bridges and fast sections. It isn't a selective course which means that tactics will with no doubt be important and the first few laps are certainly going to see some mutual studying between the riders.

The second half features in quick succession the planks, an up and down bank section, a long stairs drag and an off-camber descent into the finishing straight. It is possible that some of the races will be decided only on the final lap and on this section. The finishing straight section features small uphill gradients but it is rather long and throughout the race will provide room for tactics to be played.

Overall it will be fast and explosive races surely. With dry conditions there is only one running section in the course and no true climbing or descending features that can create meaningful gaps. With no mud or sand in the mix, it will be up to the riders' form and technical abilities to keep the momentum all throughout the race.

2023 Cyclocross World Championships Hoogerheide Course video. Via Tibor Del Grosso / Youtube