Preview Cyclocross Worlds

The previous men's races showed us that even two flat tyres can't keep reigning champion Mathieu van der Poel from the victory. But the women's race might tell a different story : more open & unpredictable. Since many riders returned from their injuries & absences, the races have become a lot more unpredictable and we see a lot more diversity on the podium. Form, team tactics and course characteristics are all expected to play a decisive role. The Hulst course blends technical ramparts and canal-side corners. It favours riders who can ride clean lines and change pace rapidly. In this article we evaluate the riders who can have an impact on Saturday through predictions based on the course and on what they have achieved before during this season. An article that looks forward, but also already back at the season so far, at the same time.

Puck Pieterse (Netherlands)

She started her cyclocross campaign halfway through December, and she seems to improve every week. A double victory last weekend confirms why she should be a serious contender for the World title. Apart from the form of the day, the team tactics might impact her chances as well. Can she chase down her compatriot Lucinda Brand if she would take the initiative early on? Even if Puck Pieterse has great legs and would be able to do it, it wouldn't be good for the perception domestically if she would chase actively with a French or Italian rider following right behind her. She has been on the podium in the past 3 years. Can she take gold now?

Amandine Fouquenet (France)

The revelation of the season who had to secure a contract for this year, on the ultimate days of the previous one. The French rider has set big steps forward since last season. Last year, she was 17th on the UCI Ranking, today she already has moved up to third spot. The 24 years old has shown herself as a versatile rider, this Winter. She only hasn't been at her best on sandy courses yet, but fortunatly there won't be any of that at the course in Hulst. France has set a big step forward overall in the sport, this Winter. A few of their riders will still race in the U23 race. But the duo Fouquenet-Clauzel should be able to defend the French colours very well in the elite riders.

Lucinda Brand (Netherlands)

It's been a long while since a rider has been so dominant in cyclocross as Lucinda Brand. But her disappointing 10th place in Maasmechelen has brought question marks. Despite her dominance in the season overall, she missed out on the European & Dutch champions' jersey too in the previous months. Will the Worlds bring more luck? Her tactical options might also depend on Puck Pieterse. As explained earlier, who is able to breakaway first, might have a big impact on the tactical options of the other favourite.

Sara Casasola (Italy)

It was a season with ups & downs for Sara Casasola. She has skipped many races due to illness, but when she raced, she was always competing for the victories. This makes the Italian Crelan-Correndon rider a very unpredictable factor in the race. At the Euros, her presence disabled top favourite Lucinda Brand to chase down her compatriot Inge van der Heijden. At the Worlds, she could play a similar role and be the 'Queen maker' again, but due to the return of many absent riders at the time, she might not have to play the role alone now.

Kristyna Zemanova (Czechia)

The young Czech has been spending most of this Winter in her native homeland, but when she started her World Cup campaign in December, she has made an immediate impact. The still only 22 years old rider made life very hard for both Puck Pieterse in Lucinda Brand in certain races and managed to finish runner-up at the ultimate last test in the World Cup race of Hoogerheide. It would be a bit too much pressure to expect already a World title for her, but she could gain useful experience at her first elite Worlds and perhaps play a very big role already.

Blanka Vas (Hungary)

What is happening with Blanka Vas this Winter? The Hungarian had a very irregular schedule and combined very good results with very poor ones. The only consistent factor has been her strong start, but her lack of race rhythm seems to hurt her very badly over halfway the race. Maybe after a double race weekend she might finally have just enough rhythm to compete for the podium all race long. It's a certainty that the best Blanka Vas can compete for the victory as she has done before, but her team's decisions remain a mystery that often has hurt her opportunities in both cyclocross and on the road.

Marion Norbert Riberolle (Belgium)

This has been by far the most consistent Winter for Marion Norbert Riberolle, despite that the often dry conditions didn't suit her very well. On the Worlds, a dry or wet course might have a big impact on her chances too. On a muddy course, she has challenged some of the best riders in the World but on a dry course, she'll play a minor role on the outcome of the race. Her bad start keeps hurting her chances early on as well. The Belgian is a pure cyclocross rider and the expectations could rise drastically for her when the mud arrives, but on a dry hilly course, she might not be totally at her best.

Ceylin Alvarado (Netherlands)

The former World Champion came back at the very end of November after an impactful injury that hindered her through the year. The 27 years old rider already managed to pick up the Dutch champion's jersey and also achieved close results & victories in other races. She might get overshadowed by her compatriots Lucinda Brand & Puck Pieterse which can impact her final result in a good way. Can she play the third horse or will she get disabled in the overall team tactics? The course in Hulst has many technical sections up & down like in Zonhoven, but it will be without sand & snow this time. 

Zoe Bäckstedt (United Kingdom)

Just like many other riders, this Winter, Zoe Bäckstedt has missed a large part of the season due to injury. After a difficult first race in Dendermonde, she raised her form quickly and finished fourth in her last race ahead of the Worlds now. If she could set a little step forward she could play a role in the medal competition by her power and speed, but after a very short campaign and no previous experience at the elite Worlds before, it's hard to expect too much already. The United Kingdom could line-up with a very strong line-up here if they could also have relied on Cat Ferguson & Imogen Wolff, but apparently their sponsors don't seem to care much about receiving publicity all year long. 

Marie Schreiber (Luxembourg)

She had to delay the start of her season due to injury but already caught another injury early on. Since then she has been very inconsistent with podium places at time, and races where she didn't even make it to the top 20 in other occassions. The biggest talent from the Grand Duchy managed to win in Hulst, last season, so this course should suit her very well. The question will be in which shape that the 22 years old will arrive this time.

Conclusion

The women’s elite race at the Cyclocross World Championships promises to be the most open one this year. While Lucinda Brand remains the benchmark over the course of the season, the tactical dynamics within the Dutch team, combined with the presence of many other riders like Amandine Fouquenet, Sara Casasola, Zoe Backstedt and Kristyna Zemanova might bring spectacle. Just like the unpredictable form of Blanka Vas & Marie Schreiber that could lead to surprises.

One thing is certain: without a clear dominant force, the battle for the rainbow jersey is wide open — and that makes this World Championship a race not to be missed.