Superprestige Middelkerke 2026 Preview | Final test before the European Cycloross Championships is an evening race

2025 Michael Vanthourenhout / Amandine Fouquenet
2024 Joris Nieuwenhuis / Inge van der Heijden
2023 Eli Iserbyt / Lucinda Brand
2022 Eli Iserbyt / Ceylin Alvarado
2021 Laurens Sweeck / Denise Betsema
2020 Laurens Sweeck / Ceylin Alvarado
2019 Mathieu van der Poel / Denise Betsema
2018 Mathieu van der Poel / Sanne Cant
2017 Mathieu van der Poel / Sanne Cant
2016 Mathieu van der Poel / Sanne Cant

A new moment, a new course for Middelkerke! It looks a little different this early in the year. Instead of turning right into the field, the riders first turn left.

There, they immediately encounter a hill, and after a technical section with hairpin turns, they have to climb again. A washboard section follows, after which they pass the pit area for the first time.

After a few twists and turns, there’s a tough climb, followed by a technical descent. Running along the edge of the forest, we pass the supply station again, just before the sand pit.

From there, it’s not much further to the finish: there are still a few twists and turns, but it’s mostly a straight run with some elevation gain before the final right-hand turn. And then it’s a sprint to the finish.

Lucinda Brand won’t be racing in Middelkerke. The world champion is skipping the Superprestige so close to the European Championships on home soil, so hopefully we can look forward to an open race.

Defending champion Amandine Fouquenet (Pauwels Sauzen - Altez) will be there, though. Together with her compatriot Hélène Clauzel (Seven Racing), there will be a strong French duo at the start.

Fem van Empel won’t be there either, so when it comes to Dutch contenders, we’re looking to the in-form Denise Betsema (De Ceuster) and Aniek van Alphen (777).

The latter has consistently finished in the top four so far and will have an excellent opportunity in Middelkerke to finally claim that victory. Betsema, too, has come close many times and has already won several races at a lower level this season.

Leonie Bentveld (Pauwels Sauzen - Altez) could form a strong duo with Fouquenet, although the 22-year-old Dutch rider wasn’t quite in top form yet. Annemarie Worst (Baloise - Het Poetsbureau Lions) is also still a bit short on stamina, but naturally hopes to improve on the Belgian coast. The Belgians are counting on a strong performance from Julie Brouwers (Charles Liègeois).

With quite a few top favorites absent, the younger talents might also pull off a surprise. Lauren Molengraaf (D.O.S.), for example, who is competing in the U23 category at the European Championships. The same goes for Puck Langenbarg (Fenix-Premier Tech).

Top Favorites: Aniek van Alphen (777) and Amandine Fouquenet (Pauwels Sauzen - Altez)
Dark horses: Denise Betsema (De Ceuster), Leonie Bentveld (Pauwels Sauzen - Altez), and Hélène Clauzel (777)
Long shots: Julie Brouwers (Charles Liègeois), Annemarie Worst (Baloise - Het Poetsbureau Lions), Lauren Molengraaf (D.O.S.), and Puck Langenbarg (Fenix-Premier Tech)

Thibau Nys won’t be there after his victory at the Koppenbergcross, so Michael Vanthourenhout is definitely the top favorite in Middelkerke.

The Belgian rider from Pauwels Sauzen - Altez won there last season and is in fantastic form. The competition will mainly come from the Belgians on the North Sea coast: Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Premier Tech) is normally a major contender, but hasn’t had a great start to the season yet.

Joran Wyseure (Crelan-Corendon) knows what it’s like, having won in Heerde. He finished third at last year’s European Cyclocross Championships and hopes to shine there once again. Teammate Laurens Sweeck is having a much tougher time, but he has already won here twice. The sandy course also suits him well. Jente Michels (Alpecin-Premier Tech), Gerben Kuypers (Pauwels Sauzen - Altez), and Witse Meeussen (Crelan-Corendon) are also dangerous contenders.

As for Dutch contenders, we shouldn’t look to Joris Nieuwenhuis, Pim Ronhaar, or Ryan Kamp. The only Dutch rider on the starting line in Middelkerke is Mees Hendrikx, riding for BOMBA JOIN.

There are, however, a few foreign dark horses. Riders like Felipe Orts (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Cameron Mason (777) are usually the big names there, but keep an eye on Kevin Kühn (Heizomat-Cube), who’s a strong cyclocross rider.

Top Favorite: Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen - Altez)
Dark horses: Joran Wyseure (Crelan-Corendon), Gerben Kuypers (Pauwels Sauzen - Altez), Felipe Orts (Euskaltel - Euskadi), and Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Premier Tech)
Long shots: Cameron Mason (777), Jente Michels (Alpecin-Premier Tech), Mees Hendrikx (BOMBA JOIN), Witse Meeussen, Laurens Sweeck (Crelan-Corendon), and Kevin Kühn (Heizomat-Cube)

It's going to be a late night in Middelkerke. HBO Max will start broadcasting around 5:25 p.m., and according to the schedule, the party won't end until 8:30 p.m.