UCI World Cyclo-Cross Championships Preview

by John · January 31, 2014

UCI World Cup champion Lars Van Der Haar starts as many people’s personal favourite, whilst Marianne Voss is very much the best bet in the women’s race.

The scene at Hoogerheide on Thursday by Balint Hamvas – buy his photo book

Having said that no one should discount Sven Nys from defending his title in the men’s race, the Belgian showed his intent clearly by missing the recent World Cup Cyclo-Cross at Nommay and spent his time training in Majorca. For many the UCI World Cup series has not just been exciting because of the high standard of racing but also because there seems to be a changing of the guard as riders such Van Der Haar, Phillipe Wasleben and Tom Muessen move to the front of stage The Belgian team has been the most dominant over the last decade although they have been known to fall over themselves, allowing others to win whilst they argued or ‘faffed’ about. Our heart may say Van Der Haar but most will be banking on a Nys win.

In the women’s race Katie Compton won the UCI World Cup Cyclo-Cross and beat the defending World Champion Marianne Voss in a straight fight. Some might comment that Voss was hampered having spent the winter undergoing a back operation. Nonetheless Compton (who had to pull out of the Nommay World Cup because of asthma) is a champion in waiting and this could be her year. Rounding off the women’s race podium could be Sanne Cant and from Britain Nikki Harris and Helen Wyman.

The Great Britain team for the UCI World Cyclo-Cross championships was announced recently. Ian Field, Nikki Harris and Helen Wyman will lead the team of fourteen British riders read more>>

Race programme
Saturday 01 – UCI Men Juniors Cyclo-cross 11:00
Saturday 01 – UCI Women Cyclo-cross 15:00
Sunday 02 – UCI Men Under 23 Cyclo-cross 11:00
Sunday 02 – UCI Men Elite Cyclo-cross 15:00

Live streaming

Women – Saturday 15.00 (CET)