Preview World Cup Dendermonde 2023 | No Nys and Van Empel, who will win in the muddy cross of East Flanders?

The Dendermonde World Cup is, in fact, the successor to the Ambiancecross in Wachtebeke, yet it remains a relatively new event. It was only in 2020 and 2021 that the course featured as a World Cup race, disappearing from the WC calendar in 2022 due to financial challenges.

On Dec. 26, 2021, the Dendermonde cyclocross failed to draw around 10,000 spectators. Indeed, the COVID-19 measures in place at the time disrupted the event, prompting the organizers, where Jurgen Mettepenningen holds a significant position, to opt for caution the following year. Consequently, there was no race in Dendermonde last year, a city in the Belgian province of East Flanders. 'I don't want to organize it again without fans or with restrictions,' stated Mettepenningen and co at the time. But after a year without a spectacle, the cyclocross makes its expected return this year!

2021 Wout van Aert / Lucinda Brand
2020 Wout van Aert / Lucinda Brand

The organization of the World Cup in Dendermonde has designed an impressive technical course, promising an exciting spectacle. The 2,600-meter-long track incorporates a variety of features: stairs, a washboard, a bridge, steep hills, a sandpit, and cobblestones! In short, a real treat! Many cycling fans will recall the unforgettable 2020 edition when the race transformed into an apocalyptic mud fest, and it's quite likely that we'll witness something similar this year!

Weather
Weather: As mentioned earlier, on December 27, 2020, Dendermonde witnessed an unprecedented mud spectacle. This year, too, there's a high probability of encountering substantial mud, especially given the consistent rainfall in recent days. Additionally, Sunday's forecast predicts significant precipitation, ensuring that the heavens will open up and treating us to another thrilling spectacle!

Times
Start women: 1:40 pm
Finish women: around 2:30 pm
Start men: 3:10 pm
Finish men: around 4:15 pm

Fem van Empel, Puck Pieterse, and Shirin van Anrooij will be absent. As a result, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado is the clear favorite to secure victory in the third edition. The 25-year-old Rotterdam native from Alpecin-Deceuninck, who finished second behind the impressive Van Empel at the European Championships, expressed to IDLProCycling.com that she is somewhat pleased with Van Empel temporarily leaving the field. 'For the points and the rankings, it's better for me that she's gone for a while,' she stated.

Alvarado will now contend with Lucinda Brand. The 34-year-old from Dordrecht is a notable presence in Dendermonde, making her first appearance there this season. 'Lucinda trained with me last week, and I got a good impression of her form. I think she can immediately reach a good level in Dendermonde,' said national coach Gerben de Knegt about her selection. Brand has been recovering from a shoulder injury sustained during this year's Simac Ladies Tour for the past few months. Therefore, her form remains a bit uncertain, although she certainly has fond memories of Dendermonde. In both 2020 and 2021, the Baloise Trek Lions rider emerged as the winner in the only two editions held so far.

Inge van der Heijden is also in high spirits. At the European Championships, the North Brabant native from Corelan-Corendon just missed out on a medal, although a fourth-place finish is undoubtedly commendable. Van der Heijden is consistently at the forefront, so she deserves serious consideration. The same applies to Aniek van Alphen (Cyclocross Reds), one of the most reliable riders in women's cyclocross today.

Annemarie Worst (Cyclocross Reds) had a less-than-ideal finish at the European Championships, so she will be eager for a triumphant performance. Given her strong performances leading up to the muddy race in Western France, it wouldn't be surprising if she claims victory in Dendermonde. Manon Bakker (Corendon-Corendon), Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal), and Leonie Bentveld (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) are also notable mentions—riders whose victories may not be anticipated but could spring a surprise on a good day.

Top favorite:Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
Outsiders:Inge van der Heijden (Crelan-Corendon), Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions) and Aniek van Alphen (Cyclocross Reds)
Longshots: Annemarie Worst (Cyclocross Reds), Manon Bakker (Crelan-Corendon), Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) and Leonie Bentveld (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal)

Last week brought somewhat surprising news as it was announced that Thibau Nys, on his 21st birthday no less, would not be participating in Dendermonde. This comes despite the 20-year-old son of Sven Nys holding an impressive third place after two rounds in the cyclocross World Cup, having won in Waterloo and secured seventh place in Maasmechelen. While Nys will compete the day before in the Superprestigecross in Niel, his fans won't need to make the trip to East Flanders the following day.

The newly crowned European champion, Michael Vanthourenhout, will undoubtedly be present at the start in Dendermonde. The 29-year-old rider from Bruges, representing Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal, couldn't believe his luck after winning his second European cyclocross championship. Self-confidence is certainly warranted for the "White man from Wetteren," who tends to peak at precisely the right time. It remains to be seen whether the 'championship rider' Vanthourenhout has designated Dendermonde as a top priority. However, judging by the form he displayed in Pontchâteau, it's almost inevitable that he will perform exceptionally well in Dendermonde too. His teammate Eli Iserbyt, described as a multiple winner, will also be in Dendermonde. Although things may not have gone as hoped for the small crosser at the European Championships, it doesn't diminish the fact that he is in excellent shape and should always be considered a contender.

The leading contender in Dendermonde could very well be Lars van der Haar, particularly in the absence of Nys, making him the most advanced asset for the Baloise Trek Lions. The "Terrier from Woudenberg," who secured the third spot at the European Championships, has maintained a commendable level throughout the season. The 32-year-old rider from Utrecht has consistently finished within the top five. His teammate, Pim Ronhaar, shows slightly less consistency. Performing well at the European Championships in Western France, he secured a fourth-place finish (only narrowly missing out on bronze in the sprint against Van der Haar). The 22-year-old Frisian will likely be highly motivated for redemption, and despite occasional finishes outside the top ten, he warrants attention!

Other riders to watch out for include Joris Nieuwenhuis (Baloise Trek Lions), Gerben Kuypers (Circus-ReUZ-technord), Ryan Kamp (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal), and Laurens Sweeck (Corendon-Crelan). While these men have been close on multiple occasions this cyclocross season (with Kuypers securing two victories), they have often fallen slightly short of the absolute elite in cyclocross. The Dendermonde cross presents a perfect opportunity to change that narrative. Of particular interest is the somewhat underrated Kamp, who impressively claimed fifth place at the European Championships.

Top favorite:Lars van der Haar (Baloise Trek Lions)
Outsiders:Michael Vanthourenhout and Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal)
Longshots: Pim Ronhaar, Joris Nieuwenhuis (Baloise Trek Lions), Gerben Kuypers (Circus-ReUZ-technord), Ryan Kamp (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) and Laurens Sweeck (Crelan-Corendon)

The Dendermonde World Cup race can be watched live on several channels. Sporza will be there on Canvas from 1:30 pm. The same goes for international sports channel Eurosport, which will provide live coverage both on television (Eurosport 1) and via its online channels (Eurosport.nl/Discovery+/GCN+).