Preview X2O Trophy Hamme 2024 | Who can challenge world champions Van der Poel and Van Empel?

Just one week before the World Cyclocross Championships kick off in Tábor, there is a Belgian-Dutch cyclo-cross weekend on the schedule. The highlight? The X2O Trophy of Hamme, on Saturday, January 27. IDLProCycling.com is keen to dive deep into the details of this race, also popularly known as the Rectavit Flandriencross.

The event takes place in Hamme, a municipality in East Flanders close to Antwerp, where the cyclo-cross race has been held since 2002. Originally called the Bollekescross, the race was renamed in 2014 to the Flandriencross, in tribute to Greg Van Avermaet, a three-time Flandrien winner and Hamme's own local hero.

Last year, Wout van Aert seized the spotlight, especially in the absence of Mathieu van der Poel, delivering a stunning solo victory. It proved to be an excellent warm-up for the affable Belgian before the World Championships, although he later had to concede to his long-time arch-rival. Speaking of MVDP, from 2016 to 2021, the Dutch cyclist from Alpecin-Deceuninck notched an impressive five consecutive victories at this event. It's safe to say Van der Poel has very fond memories of the race, which is held not too far from his home region.

2022/2023 Wout van Aert / Fem van Empel
2021/2022 Laurens Sweeck / Lucinda Brand
2020/2021 Mathieu van der Poel / Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
2019/2020 Mathieu van der Poel / Annemarie Worst
2018/2019 Mathieu van der Poel / Annemarie Worst
2017/2018 Mathieu van der Poel / Sanne Cant
2016/2017 Mathieu van der Poel / Sanne Cant
2015/2016 Wout van Aert / Helen Wyman
2014/2015 Wout van Aert / Sanne Cant
2013/2014 Niels Albert / Nikki Brammeier

The 2,800-meter course in Hamme is not considered particularly challenging, especially compared to some other cyclo-cross races. There are several obstacles (such as a plank section) incorporated into the circuit, but it never becomes really difficult. Ninety percent of the loop is on unpaved paths. As described by the organizers, "The course is a mix of meadow paths, forest roads, and asphalt, with the starting and finishing lines set on a 250-meter-long concrete track."

Weather
All meteorological forecasts suggest that it will be quite cold in East Flanders on Saturday. While temperatures won't drop below freezing, they're not anticipated to climb much above six degrees Celsius either. As for rain – often a significant factor in cyclocross – it doesn't seem to be a concern this time. The skies over Hamme may be partly cloudy, but the likelihood of rain is almost zero.

Times
Start for women: 1:45 pm
Finish for women: around 2:30 pm
Start for men: 3:00 pm
Finish for men: around 4:00 pm

Puck Pieterse won't be participating, but Fem van Empel will be there. The world champion from Visma | Lease a Bike, is the clear favorite to claim victory. The Dutch powerhouse is having an exceptional season and is eager to continue her winning streak. To do so, she'll need to outperform Dutch champion Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions), who is also in great shape.

Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado is also skipping the X2O Trophy of Hamme. Therefore, the spotlight turns to riders like Manon Bakker (Crelan-Corendon), Sanne Cant (Crelan-Corendon), Annemarie Worst (Cyclocross Reds), Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal), and Laura Verdonschot (De Ceuster-Bonache). Each of these athletes has the potential to achieve great results, possibly even a podium finish, on their best days.

Additionally, we'd like to mention Kristýna Zemanová (Brilon Racing Team), Marion Norbert Riberolle (Crelan-Corendon), and Anna Kay (Cyclocross Reds). While they're not seen as top contenders for medals, it wouldn't be surprising if they manage to secure a spot on the final podium.

Top favorite: Fem van Empel (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Outsider: Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions)
Longshots: Manon Bakker, Sanne Cant, Marion Norbert Riberolle (Crelan-Corendon), Annemarie Worst (Cyclocross Reds), Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) and Laura Verdonschot (De Ceuster-Bonache). 

Who else but Mathieu van der Poel could be the absolute top favorite to triumph in Hamme? The 29-year-old Dutchman had to settle for fifth place after a fall in Benidorm and is likely even more determined for a new victory. This cyclo-cross season, there seems to be no match for the versatile rider from Kapellen, especially as he won't be facing Wout van Aert.

Tom Pidcock is also absent in Hamme. Therefore, we consider Lars van der Haar as Van der Poel's main 'challenger'. The 32-year-old Dutchman from Baloise Trek Lions is currently leading triumphantly in the X2O general classification. The Terrier from Woudenberg is more than three minutes ahead of Van der Poel, who, however, won't complete all races in the regularity classification. Cameron Mason, the British rider from Cyclocross Reds, is currently in third place, thus definitely in contention for a strong finish. Mason finished 32nd in Benidorm, so it's a bit uncertain how he is feeling right now.

Just behind Mason, we find Belgian champion Eli Iserbyt, who could be considered the most consistent cyclo-cross rider this season. The short Flemish rider from Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal is likely eyeing that second place, which is definitely within reach. Iserbyt has never won in Hamme, but, for instance, finished an impressive second behind Van Aert last season. It's quite possible that riders like Pim Ronhaar and Joris Nieuwenhuis won't participate in Hamme either, leading us to complete this list of favorites with names like Toon Vandebosch (Crelan-Corendon), Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal), Thijs Aerts (Circus-ReUz-technord), and Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Deceuninck).

Top favorite:Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
Outsiders:Lars van der Haar (Baloise Trek Lions) and Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal)
Longshots: Cameron Mason (Cyclocross Reds), Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal), Toon Vandebosch (Crelan-Corendon) and Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Deceuninck)

Both the men's and women's races can be followed live via VRT-Sporza. You can tune in from 1:30 PM to enjoy an afternoon of cyclo-cross!