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Follow us on GoogleOn Saturday, we ’ll be tearing through relatively unfamiliar terrain in Heerde, but on Sunday, at the Superprestige in Overijse, we’ll find a true classic on the cyclocross calendar. The mud in this Belgian town has provided plenty of excitement in the past, and we’re in for another round of it this Sunday. IDL Pro Cycling takes a look ahead at one of the best cyclocross races of the year.
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Recent Winners of the Superprestige Overijse
2025 Michael Vanthourenhout / Sara Casasola
2024 Thibau Nys / Lucinda Brand
2023 Eli Iserbyt / Fem van Empel
2022 Michael Vanthourenhout / Puck Pieterse
2021 Eli Iserbyt / Blanka Kata Vas
2020 Wout van Aert / Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
2019 Mathieu van der Poel / Annemarie Worst
2018 Toon Aerts / Lucinda Brand
2017 Mathieu van der Poel / Pauline Ferrand-Prévot
2016 Mathieu van der Poel / Sophie de Boer
2024 Thibau Nys / Lucinda Brand
2023 Eli Iserbyt / Fem van Empel
2022 Michael Vanthourenhout / Puck Pieterse
2021 Eli Iserbyt / Blanka Kata Vas
2020 Wout van Aert / Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
2019 Mathieu van der Poel / Annemarie Worst
2018 Toon Aerts / Lucinda Brand
2017 Mathieu van der Poel / Pauline Ferrand-Prévot
2016 Mathieu van der Poel / Sophie de Boer
Route, weather, and times for the 2026 Superprestige Overijse
The Druivencross in Overijse is one of the toughest courses on the calendar. Grass, mud, slogging through, and running—it’s all part of the race. In addition, the many climbs are a hallmark of this race, in which the strongest rider usually wins.
Given the expected weather conditions—rain—it could turn out to be a real mud fest, in which running technique will also be a deciding factor. Nevertheless, it looks like we’re in for a great afternoon of cross-country racing in Overijse.
Weather
When it rains in Overijse, the course can quickly become challenging, and Sunday could easily turn into a muddy mess. It has rained a lot in the days leading up to the cyclocross race, but it looks like it will be relatively dry on Sunday itself. However, with temperatures at 13 degrees Celsius, it will be quite windy.
Times
Women’s start: 1:40 p.m.
Women's finish: around 2:30 p.m.
Men’s start: 3:10 p.m.
Men’s finish: around 4:10 p.m.
Women's Favourites for the 2026 Superprestige Overijse
In the women's race, the riders take turns participating. For example, Lucinda Brand skipped the race in Heerde on Saturday, while Fem van Empel did compete. On Sunday, the roles were reversed: Brand competed, but Van Empel did not.
Marie Schreiber, who has been Brand’s main challenger in recent weeks, will not be competing this weekend. On paper, her compatriots Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Fenix-Premier Tech) and Aniek van Alphen ( 777) are Brand’s main challengers.
In addition, Inge van der Heijden, Krystina Zemanova (Crelan-Corendon), Leonie Bentveld, Amandine Fouquenet (Pauwels Sauzen-Altez), Annemarie Worst (777), and Denise Betsema (De Ceuster) are the riders we expect to be in the running for the podium.
IDL Pro Cycling top picks for the 2026 women's Superprestige Overijse
Top Favorite: Lucinda Brand (Baloise-Het Poetsbureau Lions)
Dark horses: Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Fenix-Premier Tech) and Aniek van Alphen (777)
Long shots: Krystina Zemanova (Crelan-Corendon), Leonie Bentveld and Amandine Fouquenet (Pauwels Sauzen-Altez), Annemarie Worst (777), and Denise Betsema (De Ceuster)
Dark horses: Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Fenix-Premier Tech) and Aniek van Alphen (777)
Long shots: Krystina Zemanova (Crelan-Corendon), Leonie Bentveld and Amandine Fouquenet (Pauwels Sauzen-Altez), Annemarie Worst (777), and Denise Betsema (De Ceuster)
Men's Favourites for the 2026 Superprestige Overijse
So far, Michael Vanthourenhout has won every cyclocross race he’s competed in that was broadcast on TV, and the conditions in Overijse also seem to favor the Pauwels Sauzen-Altez rider on Sunday. We therefore consider him the top favourite.
Otherwise, careful selections are already being made. Joris Nieuwenhuis, for example, won’t be there, but other Dutch riders will. Pim Ronhaar (Baloise-Het Poetsbureau Lions) has found a course that should suit him, and Ryan Kamp and Mees Hendrikx (Bomba JOIN) will also be competing.
Felipe Orts (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Cameron Mason (777) are two “foreigners” who will have to perform well in the mud in Overijse—as, of course, will a number of Belgians.
Joran Wyseure, Witse Meeussen, Laurens Sweeck (Crelan-Corendon), Jente Michels, Niels Vandeputte ( Alpecin-Premier Tech), and Gerben Kuypers (Pauwels Sauzen-Altez) are all expected to go far. Wyseure, Michels, and Kuypers may have the best chances.
IDL Pro Cycling top picks for the 2026 men's Superprestige Overijse
Top Favorite: Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Altez)
Dark horses: Felipe Orts (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Cameron Mason (777)
Long shots: Joran Wyseure (Crelan-Corendon), Pim Ronhaar (Baloise-Het Poetsbureau Lions), Jente Michels, Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Premier Tech), and Gerben Kuypers (Pauwels Sauzen-Altez)
Dark horses: Felipe Orts (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Cameron Mason (777)
Long shots: Joran Wyseure (Crelan-Corendon), Pim Ronhaar (Baloise-Het Poetsbureau Lions), Jente Michels, Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Premier Tech), and Gerben Kuypers (Pauwels Sauzen-Altez)
TV Superprestige Overijse 2026
The Superprestige cyclocross race in Overijse will be broadcast on Sunday starting at 12:40 p.m. on TNT Sports/HBO Max.
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David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
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Latest Comments
- More time trials sounds good, but could Remco actually win the whole race? I thought the Tour was mostly about climbing.gearguru3323-10-2026
- If Pogačar crashed badly, does that mean he might not be fully fit for the Tour?julien23-10-2026
- Edinburgh for the Grand Départ is brilliant news. The crowds in Yorkshire were incredible, and Scotland could be just as special.pedalpowe2923-10-2026
- Froome’s point about the mountains is spot on: the extra TT distance gives the other GC contenders a real reason to race aggressively before the final climbs.tourdeforce923-10-2026
- 71km of time trialling should make things much more interesting. Remco will fancy his chances, but you can never write Pogačar off.lindae23-10-2026
- I’m still figuring out how time trials affect the overall race. If Evenepoel gains time there, will Pogačar have enough mountain stages left to make it back? The route sounds exciting, but I’m not sure how much difference 71km makes.davidm22-10-2026
- Two 223km stages in the opening week could make for a proper nervous start. Those narrow British roads and potholes might have the GC favourites watching every corner.jennifer1922-10-2026
- That Pau–Portet stage sounds absolutely savage: Tourmalet, Soulor, Hourquette d’Ancizan and then the Portet. Vingegaard should suit those long climbs, though Pogačar is hardly easy to shake.julien22-10-2026
- Seventy-one kilometres against the clock gives Evenepoel a real chance to put pressure on Pogačar, but those Pyrenean stages look brutal. Could be a cracking final week if the time gaps stay close.sprocketspiny22-10-2026
- Not sure we can call this a perfect Evenepoel route before we’ve seen the start list. Plenty of time-trialling, yes, but those Pyrenees stages look absolutely savage. Could be a great Tour, though.julien22-10-2026
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