Preview Dwars door het Hageland 2023 | Get ready, because Van der Poel is back!
Cycling
Climbs and unpaved roads. That's the concise summary of the ever challenging Dwars door het Hageland. There's an exciting twist for this edition, as Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) is making his comeback in preparation for the Tour de France! IDLProCycling.com walks you through all the interesting facts!
Last year, Dwars door het Hageland was one big celebration for Alpecin-Deceuninck and Oscar Riesebeek. After a fierce attack in the finale, the Dutchman secured his first professional victory and saw his teammate Gianni Vermeersch cross the line in second place. Florian Sénéchal (Soudal-Quick Step) had to sprint with a flat tire and finished third.
Van der Poel himself last participated in 2017 and managed to win the race after a titanic battle with Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma). The two constantly challenged each other during a muddy edition on the gravel, and Van der Poel emerged victorious in the power sprint. A young Taco van der Hoorn finished second at that time, ahead of Van Aert.
Practical information Dwars door het Hageland 2023
- Aarschot - Diest (182.4 km)
- Saturday, June 10th, 2023
- Participants
- Classification: 1.Pro
In this article
- Most recent winners
- Course, weather and times
- Favorites
- TV information
Most recent winners Dwars door het Hageland
2022 Oscar Riesebeek
2021 Rasmus Tiller
2020 Jonas Rickaert
2019 Kenneth Vanbilsen
2018 Krists Neilands
2017 Mathieu van der Poel
2016 Niki Terpstra
Course, weather and times Dwars door het Hageland 2023
Compared to last year, there is one change in the race: this time, the course is 800 meters longer. Other than that, almost everything else remains the same, and this continues to be an incredibly challenging race. 23 kilometers in, the Schoonhovendreef marks the first climb of the day, followed quickly by the unpaved roads. Due to all the twists and turns in the course, it seems difficult for a breakaway group to establish a significant lead.
After approximately 72 kilometers, the peloton crosses the finish line for the first time, and one would think that the Grasbos holds the key climbs of the local circuits. However, this is not entirely true. The unpaved roads and especially the finishing straight make it even tougher. The Citadel of Diest traditionally serves as a beautiful finale to a grueling day in the saddle. The 500 meter climb at 5.1 percent always provides stunning visuals, particularly because it is on cobblestones. Whoever reaches the top first, after enduring substantial climbs and some seriously dusty stretches of road, gets the honor of victory.
Climbs
23.0 km: Schoonhovendreef (0.8 km at 5.5%)
63.2 km: Grasbos (1 km at 4.8%)
67.4 km: Citadel (0.5 km at 5.1%)
85.2 km: Schoonhovendreef (0.8 km at 5.5%)
125.4 km: Grass Forest (1 km at 4.8%)
129.4 km: Citadel (0.5 km at 5.1%)
148.9 km: Grass Forest (1 km at 4.8%)
152.7 km: Citadel (0.5 km at 5.1%)
172.2 km: Grass Forest (1 km at 4.8%)
176 km: Citadel (0.5 km at 5.1%)
Unpaved roads
36.7 km: Grootbroekstraat (5,400 meters)
45.4 km: Demervallei (3,300 meters)
59.1 km: Demerdijk Zichem (4,000 meters)
98.6 km: Grootbroekstraat (5,400 meters)
107.4 km: Demervallei (3,300 meters)
121.1 km: Demerdijk Zichem (4,000 meters)
134.4 km: Prinsenbos (1,000 meters)
144.4 km: Demerdijk Zichem (4,000 meters)
157.7 km: Prinsenbos (1,000 meters)
167.7 km: Demerdijk Zichem (4,000 meters)
Weather
The weather gods are truly favoring the riders during this race. It is currently full-on summer in Belgium, and the temperature even reaches thirty degrees Celsius at its peak. However, wind chill temperature will be even warmer due to the lack of wind.
Times
Favorites Dwars door het Hageland 2023
Please note that the list of participants is not yet official, so changes may still be made.
Well, there is little doubt as to who will be the top favorite for this race. The rest of the starting field will have to find a way to defeat Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck). Of course, the Dutchman has recently done limited racing, but he has already proven in the past that he needs little to no races in order to be in top form. And if Van der Poel can't manage to lock in the victory, Alpecin-Deceuninck still has plenty of other options with Dries De Bondt, Timo Kielich and Gianni Vermeersch.
Of course, there are plenty of sprinters and time trialists who can give Van der Poel a hard time. In particular, Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X) knows how to handle such situations. The cunning Norwegian seems to be on the right path for the Tour de France, as he recently won the final stage of the Tour of Norway. Kristoff will have Søren Wærenskjold as his lead-out and backup, while his teammate Rasmus Tiller has already secured a victory in this race in 2021. Intermarché-Circus Wanty will also get to bet on two horses, just like in the Giro d'Italia. Niccolò Bonifazio and Arne Marit will travel to Belgian territory.
There are also a few sprinters at the start who have a small question mark next to their names. How are David Dekker and Jenthe Biermans (both Arkéa Samsic) doing? Are they capable of keeping up on the challenging course and participating in the sprint? Giacomo Nizzolo (Israel-Premier Tech) is another one to watch, as the Italian showed his speed in early May, leaving riders such as Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Dstny) behind in Tro Bro Léon.
In this race, a victory from a breakaway is also a plausible scenario, so there are many strong time trialists in the mix. From that perspective, let's also keep an eye on Yves Lampaert, Casper Pedersen (both Soudal-Quick Step), Sep Vanmarcke (Israel-Premier Tech), Laurenz Rex (Intermarché-Circus Wanty) and Florian Vermeersch (Lotto-Dstny). Hopefully, the broadcast of the race will start on time, especially because these riders will want to start setting things in motion early on in the race. How else can you keep Van der Poel from taking the win...?
Favorites Dwars door het Hageland 2023, according to IDLProCycling.com
Top favorite: Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
Outsiders: Alexander Kristoff, Rasmus Tiller (both Uno-X), Dries De Bondt, Timo Kielich (both Alpecin-Deceuninck), Yves Lampaert (Soudal-Quick Step) and Giacomo Nizzolo (Israel-Premier Tech)
At Bet365 you will receive a welcome bonus of 100 euros, at Jacks a welcome bonus of 50 euros!
If you play responsibly, you'll keep it fun. What does gambling cost you? Stop in time, 18+
Looking for more interesting betting tips? Please visit Sportbookies.eu.
TV Dwars door het Hageland 2023
If you want to see Van der Poel in action, Eurosport and Sporza are the places to be. However, Eurosport will only broadcast the race on digital channels, due to Roland Garros and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Of course, IDLProCycling.com will also keep you updated on everything you need to know!
Il Lombardia 2024
Embark on an incredible journey to the first Cycling World Championship in Africa
The Pogacar effect: How Tadej has shaped the career of Matthews in a crucial way
Can Decathlon AG2R's big budget strike back against the 'Big Four' this spring?
No more doubts: Van Empel establishes dominance with successful comeback in cyclo-cross Gavere
Van der Poel's bold move in third lap secures victory in Gavere, completing a perfect three out of three
Latest Cycling News
Embark on an incredible journey to the first Cycling World Championship in Africa
The Pogacar effect: How Tadej has shaped the career of Matthews in a crucial way
Can Decathlon AG2R's big budget strike back against the 'Big Four' this spring?
No more doubts: Van Empel establishes dominance with successful comeback in cyclo-cross Gavere
Van der Poel's bold move in third lap secures victory in Gavere, completing a perfect three out of three
Popular Cycling News
Not Roglic or Van Aert, but Visma | Lease a Bike itself was the reason Tratnik left: "I started to get bored"
The comeback of Van der Poel: arrival in Lambo, warning from dad, and kind words from his girlfriend and Thibau Nys
Not everyone is happy about Van der Poel's return to cyclo-cross: "There was nothing to see in the race"
Meanwhile in the peloton | Van der Poel arrives to Gavere race in stylish, orange Lamborghini
Cyclo-cross rankings 2024/2025 | Alvarado wins 4 of out 5 but still keeps small gap with Brand
Latest Comments
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024