• Sunday 14 January 2024 at 11.45am
The month of January has begun and therefore the attention of cyclocross riders is turned to the championships. Before the Cyclocross World Championships get interesting, Dutch cyclocross cyclists will first have to participate in the National Cyclocross Championships. Hoogeveen in Drenthe is the place to stay Sunday 14 January for the cross-country loving Netherlands. Can Puck Pieterse succeed himself? CyclingFlits looks ahead to the women’s battle.
History
Last ten winners of the National Women’s Cyclocross Championships
2023: Puck Pieterse
2022: Marianne Vos
2021: No edition due to the corona pandemic
2020: Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
2019: Lucinda brand
2018: Lucinda brand
2017: Marianne Vos
2016: Thalita de Jong
2015: Marianne Vos
2014: Marianne Vos
2013: Marianne Vos
Last year
National Cyclocross Championships 2023 in Zaltbommel
Women’s results
1. Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
2. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Alpecin-Deceuninck) at 26 years old
3. Fem van Empel (Jumbo-Visma) at 39 years old
4. Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) on 2’16
5. Annemarie Worst (777) on 2 minutes and 54 seconds
Path
A versatile circuit has been set up in and around the grounds of the Nijstad Pavilion, south-west of Hoogeveen, which will provide the backdrop for the National Cyclocross Championships this winter. The route was traced by the local and nationally known cycling club De Peddelaars, in which Jens Dekker also participates closely. The former junior world champion did it about three years ago, when there was still no talk of him returning. So there was no benefit to themselves. “I wanted to create a course where the public could see great races.”
It remains to be seen, but the ingredients are all there. The start of the circuit is after the start-finish asphalt strip on grassy terrain. It will never be swampy there. Immediately after the first equipment station, a slightly longer climb begins, where cyclists can use their strengths. A short and technical off-slope descent follows until you find yourself back on the asphalt. They proceed in a long line towards the northern part of the route, where they turn left into a recreational area. There, the beach volleyball courts have been transformed into a real sandpit.
This is followed by a slightly easier section on the outside of the route, where you can regain your strength. After the second material email, difficulties follow one another in rapid succession.
It starts with a bridge, followed shortly thereafter by a steep climb (to the same point where the long climb ends) and a short, technical descent. Another bridge follows, but then a long northern ring where the beams will probably also be placed. After the turn they will head towards the pavilion, where the runners will cross the terrace (on carpeted mats).
The route has some small changes
The most recent lines of the route, with the pinned locations of Jens’ photos
Program and information
Position
Nijstad Pavilion, Hoogeveen
Public information
Entry on the day of the National Cyclocross Championships is free throughout the weekend.
Website organisation
List of elite female participants
List of participants in the women’s promises
Favorites
Just as world champion Mathieu van der Poel is missing from the men’s cyclocross championships, world champion Fem van Empel is the big absentee in the fight for the women’s title. The Jumbo-Visma leader has been in a bit of trouble in recent weeks and so she has opted for a retreat in Spain to recover and work on her World Cup form. As a result, the Dutch title remains a gap in Van Empel’s ever-growing list of titles.
Will Puck Pieterse extend his season ticket to the red-white-blue? – photo: Cor Vos
Those who participate are the reigning champions Puck Pieterse. Last year she was clearly the best in Zaltbommel and was therefore allowed to drive in red, white and blue for a year. On Sunday in Hoogeveen Pieterse will be the woman to beat, because she has been in excellent form in recent weeks. The Fenix-Deceuninck rider started her winter with only second and third place, but since Pieterse won in Gavere, she has been free. You also won in Diegem, Hulst and Zonhoven.
Pieterse also saw how his biggest opponents got into trouble last week. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado he surrendered to Gullegem and subsequently withdrew from Zonhoven with a back injury. She rested a little and went to the physiotherapist for a check-up, but the question is whether her back pain will completely disappear on Sunday. On Wednesday he pedaled for the first time without pain.
Alvarado is determined to start and then she will always have a chance. But will she be strong enough to beat a 100% fit Puck Pieterse? Alvarado was already Dutch champion in 2019 (promising) and 2020 (elite).
Lucinda Marca she appeared to be on her way to victory in Zonhoven when she crashed hard and landed on her face. Consequence? A week before the National Championships the leader of the Baloise Trek Lions had to give up and it was later discovered that she had broken her nose. The brand will still start in Hoogeveen on Sunday. “She can breathe freely and there is no medical risk in cycling,” her team says. Brand drives without glasses, but also without a mask.
In short, Pieterse’s two biggest competitors were in a slump last week and were more concerned with recovering than resting and working towards the Dutch championship. “I also have to keep everything good,” Pieterse said CyclingFlits. “Because the season is long and the championships are coming now”.
Will there be more to laugh about at the National Championships for Brand and Alvarado? – photo: Cor Vos
So several riders are on guard in case Alvarado or Brand turns out not to be fit enough. Inge van der Heijden for example, she benefited from Alvarado’s absence and Brand’s withdrawal by finishing second to Zonhoven. If she can continue this form into the National Championships, she could win her first elite medal. Van der Heijden was already winner of the U23 National Championship in 2018 and 2020.
Behind that will be in front Annemarie Peggiore (second at the 2020 National Championships) e Aniek van Alphen everything has to fall into place if they want to compete for the podium. So they have to get over themselves and hope that the aforementioned favorites have a bad day.
Favorites according to WielerFlits
*** Puck Pieterse
**Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, Lucinda Brand
* Inge van der Heijden, Annemarie Worst, Aniek van Alphen
Initially the program of the National Cyclocross Championships included five races instead of four, as is the case today. Originally, the National Cyclocross Championships for Promising Women were planned as a separate competition. This has changed, because runners competing in the U23 category participate in their race with the elites. One game, two winners.
The big favorite among promising women is Léonie Bentveld. The 19-year-old is a promising sophomore and crost for Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal. She has only twice finished outside the top 10 of an elite competition this season. She also reached the podium at the World Cup in Flamanville. Her strong World Cup performances have made her sixth in the elite rankings and the best U23 cyclist, although Zoe Bäckstedt is hot on her heels. If nothing strange happens, she will safely run towards the National Championship title.
Leonie Bentveld after her third place in Flamanville this season – photo: Cor Vos
Lauren Molengraaf he is a great talent in the making, but he is only a promising first year. She managed to secure places of honor among the elite in the Exact Cross Loenhout (sixth) and the Superprestige Heusden-Zolder (ninth). She also reached the podium in small Dutch competitions in Heerde (second) and Rucphen (third). On paper she is Bentveld’s biggest challenger.
Behind him, the battle for the other place on the podium is wide open, with Femke Gort (eighth in Loenhout), Isa Nomden (ninth in Loenhout, eighth in Essen), Iris Offerein (fifth in Heerderstrand) and the road cyclists Ilse Pluimers (European U23 champion away) and Mirre Knaven.
Favorites according to WielerFlits
*** Leonie Bentveld
** Lauren Molengraaf, Femke Gort
* Isa Nomden, Mirre Knaven, Ilse Pluimers
Weather and TV
Second Meteoonline Winter weather will be drizzly in Hoogeveen on Sunday. The temperature hovers around 4 degrees Celsius and the strong westerly wind (wind force 4) makes it seem like it is close to freezing point. The chance of precipitation is above 80% all day, so it will be very cold in Drenthe.
The women’s and men’s National Championships can be followed live in several ways. On the regional television channel RTVDrenthe the live broadcast begins at 1.30pm. THE NO reports on both matches via live streaming in the app and online, but also Eurosport.nl In Discovery+ pass on the cross. There too the broadcasts start around 1.30pm.
2024-01-14 16:21:01
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