Preview Night of Woerden 2023 | Van der Haar can win seven (!) times in a row, Van Empel also present

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.

2022 Lars van der Haar / Kata Blanka Vas

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.

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

Top favorite: Fem van Empel (Jumbo-Visma)

Lars van der Haar

Laurens Sweeck

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) 

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.