Preview Night of Woerden 2023 | Van der Haar can win seven (!) times in a row, Van Empel also present
Cycling
In the midst of the autumn vacation period, the Night of Woerden has been a staple on the cyclocross calendar for years, and this year is no exception on Tuesday, October 24. The artificial lights will once again illuminate the course as this night race boasts a lineup of top riders. IDLProCycling.com takes a closer look!
The Night of Woerden is undoubtedly a unique cross, not only due to its nighttime conditions that require artificial lighting but also its distinctive location, right in the heart of Woerden's historic center.
In its early editions, the event in the town of Utrecht did not yet feature evening races. Nevertheless, it has had some notable winners, including Adrie van der Poel (1996), Richard Groenendaal (1998, as Dutch champion), and Maarten Nijland (1999). Starting in 2000, the race relocated to Woerden's center and began to be held in the evening.
This shift marked the participation of top cyclocross riders, with legends like Erwin Vervecken, Bart Wellens, Sven Nys, and once again Richard Groenendaal all claiming victories. In 2013, Marcel Meisen from Germany was the first non-Belgian or non-Dutch rider to secure the win, but starting in 2014, it was mostly Dutch riders who dominated the race. Notably, Thijs van Amerongen and, incredibly, Lars van der Haar, who clinched victory an astonishing six times! On the women's side, the city cross has been a fixture on the calendar since 2010.
Latest winners Night of Woerden
2022 Lars van der Haar / Kata Blanka Vas
Course, weather and times Night of Woerden 2023
As mentioned, this cross is run in the historic city center of Woerden. With passages over the canal, the crossers - and especially the public - have a nice view of the city walls.
From the start, the riders immediately dive into the field. After several passages over bridges, the grass strips return repeatedly. And these can be treacherous. Should it rain, this surface may well turn into mud.
Weather
Times
Favorites women's Night of Woerden 2023
Fem van Empel
Inge van der Heijden
Manon Bakker
Laura Verdonschot
Zoe Backstedt
Anna Kay
Aniek van Alphen
Marie Schreiber
Lorena Wiebes
Lauren Molengraaf
Francesca Baroni
Favorites women's Night of Woerden, according to IDLProCycling.com
Top favorite: Fem van Empel (Jumbo-Visma)
Favorites men's Night of Woerden 2023
Lars van der Haar
Laurens Sweeck
Vincent Baestaens
Kevin Kuhn
Joris Nieuwenhuis
jens Adams
Ryan Kamp
Tom Meeusen
Marcel Meisen
Corne van Kessel
Pim Ronhaar
Lander Loockx
Luke Verburg
Top favorite: Lars van der Haar (Baloise Trek Lions)
TV Night of Woerden 2023
Eurosport owns the broadcasting rights to the Superprestige race in Overijse. Both on Eurosport 1 and via digital channels (Eurosport.nl/Discovery+/GCN+), the cyclo-cross race can be followed live.
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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