Preview Superprestige Ruddervoorde 2023 | Who will win in the absence of Van Empel and Nys?

The so-called Cyclocross Ruddervoorde has been organized since 1988. The race has been part of the Superprestige, the second most important classification in the cyclocross world, since 1998. In the early years of the cross near the center of Ruddervoorde - a small village with 6,000 inhabitants in the municipality of Oostkamp - it was mainly amateurs who took the victory.

When the cross made its entrance into the Superprestige, that image changed, of course. Just a stone's throw from Bruges (but also not very far from Ghent), since then, it has been only big names who took home the flowers. Cyclocross legends Sven Nys and Bart Wellens won no less than ten (!) and three times, respectively. In recent years, we have also seen the absolute top riders celebrate. For example, Mathieu van der Poel triumphed four times in a row between 2016 and 2019, and the grass-based race has been a piece of cake for Eli Iserbyt, who, in contrast to MVDP, will be present and thus also going for a fourth consecutive triumph.

For women, the cross has only been oranized since 2011. The first edition was won by British Helen Wyman, who also claimed victory in 2013. In 2012, Wyman's compatriot Nikki Harris took the win. In 2014 and 2015, Sanne Cant was the lucky winner, followed by a significant dominance of Dutch ladies. Sophie de Boer, Maud Kaptheijns, Marianne Vos, Ceylin del Carmen Alvardo, and Denise Betsema managed to win one or two times, contributing to the red-white-and-blue display of power in West Flanders.

2022 Eli Iserbyt / Denise Betsema
2021 Eli Iserbyt / Denise Betsema
20 Eli Iserbyt / Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
2019 Mathieu van der Poel / Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
2018 Mathieu van der Poel / Marianne Vos
2017 Mathieu van der Poel / Maud Kaptheijns
2016 Mathieu van der Poel / Sophie de Boer
2015 Kevin Pauwels / Sanne Cant
2014 Tom Meeusen / Sanne Cant
2013 Klaas Vantornout / Helen Wyman

The course in Ruddervoorde has something for everyone, although it is primarily a grass cross. With lots of twists and turns, barriers, a sandbox, a washboard, a bridge, and a challenging slant, it is a particularly varied circuit.

In the days leading up to the cross, it will pour with rain in the Ruddervoorde area (possibly even on Saturday morning), which means that the technical sections are likely to be in poor condition. The big engines or explosive riders? Both could actually make a difference here.

We just mentioned it: in the run-up to the famous West Flemish cyclocross, the meteorological conditions are severe. Rain on Thursday, rain on Friday, and rain on Saturday. Specifically zooming in on Saturday: if we are to believe the Belgian weathermen and women, it will only pour until about twelve o'clock, meaning the race itself should be dry. Or will the damage have already been done by then...?

Times
Start women: 1:40 pm
Finish women: around 2:30 pm
Start men: 3:10 pm
Finish men: around 4:15 pm  

A considerable number of ladies who only saw Fem van Empel at the start of the past crosses (and soon no longer) will breathe a sigh of relief. The world champion from Jumbo-Visma will not be present in Ruddervoorde! As far as the list of favorites is concerned, the main focus will be on ladies who had to settle for (close) podium places in recent weeks. One of them is Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado. The 25-year-old rider from Alpecin-Deceuninck finished second in Beringen, third in Waterloo, and second in Overijse. In short, she was always 'close', but had to admit defeat to Van Empel three times (and in America, also to Puck Pieterse). The form is definitely there for the amiable lady from Rotterdam, who is probably very eager for a victory. She also knows what it is like to win in Ruddervoorde, as she was the best in 2019 and 2020.

Inge van der Heijden should also be mentioned. The 24-year-old Dutchwoman from Crelan-Corendon had a precarious start to the season due to circumstances (a DNF in Beringen and an eleventh place in Waterloo). Prior to the Druivencross in Overijse, she told IDLProCycling.com that she had already adjusted her expectations somewhat. Miraculously, it was precisely in that particular 'Mother of all Crosses' that the North Brabant woman resurfaced, resulting in an impressive third place. The road to the top seemed to be found again. In the Nacht van Woerden, she finished sixth; will she rush to the podium again in Ruddervoorde?

When Van der Heijden finished third in Overijse, she won the duel for the bronze against Annemarie Worst, who in turn probably was quite disappointed. The Cyclocross Reds rider had a great start to the season, finishing four times in the top five (and even winning the Kermiscross of Ardooie). Another rider doing quite well is Manon Bakker. The friendly rider from Crelan-Corendon has ridden numerous cyclocross races this season. She even participated in less highly rated German and American crosses. In the Nacht van Woerden, won by Van Empel, she rushed to a beautiful second place, which indicates a good form. Is this an excellent opportunity to take the victory?

Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) won the past two women's editions in Ruddervoorde. However, she is not quite at the top of her game, as she started the season with a significant disadvantage due to a fall during training. Yet, in Overijse, she finished a decent sixth, so a podium place is certainly within reach for the blonde. Her good memories of the grass race will surely serve as an extra support. Aniek van Alphen should also be considered. The 24-year-old Cyclocross Reds rider participated in multiple races and always managed to finish among the top five. She finished fifth in both Woerden and Overijse. Will she succeed in Ruddervoorde? We certainly wouldn’t be surprised, especially since she won the Kleeberg Cross of Mechelen in mid-September. Finally, we are also very curious about Zoe Bäckstedt, who will be riding a cross in Belgium for the first time this season.

Top favorite:Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
Outsiders:Inge van der Heijden (Crelan-Corendon) and Annemarie Worst (Cyclocross Reds)
Longshots: Manon Bakker (Crelan-Corendon), Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) and Aniek van Alphen (Cyclocross Reds)

In the women's race, the top favorite (Van Empel) is absent, and among the men, it seems that the man to beat at the moment is also missing. We are talking about Thibau Nys, who will be participating a day later in Maasmechelen. The defending champion among the men - we already mentioned him in the introduction - is indeed present. Eli Iserbyt can score a quartet on Saturday with a win. In the COVID-19 years 2020, 2021, and 2022, the small cyclist from Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal was already the very best. With Nys absent, a fourth victory could well be added.

However, Iserbyt will need to contend with a Dutch duo from Baloise Trek Lions, consisting of Lars van der Haar and Joris Nieuwenhuis. Van der Haar won the Nacht van Woerden earlier this week for the seventh consecutive time and is therefore in good form. This was also evident in Overijse, where he was in contention for the win for a long time (and eventually finished third). After the Druivencross, he told IDLProCycling.com that he is heading to the European Cyclocross Championships via Ruddervoorde, Maasmechelen, and his beloved Koppenberg cross. He wants to be in top form for the start in Western France, so the race in Ruddervoorde is an important preparation for the 'Terrier from Woudenberg'. Nieuwenhuis' form is a bit harder to assess: fourth in Waterloo, sixteenth in Overijse, and sixth in Woerden are rather diverse results. However, on a good day, the man from Doetinchem can certainly surprise!

Laurens Sweeck (Crelan-Corendon) is returning to top form after a somewhat less successful start to the season. In Woerden, he gave home rider and laureate Lars van der Haar a hard time and only in the ultimate final phase had to admit defeat to the Dutchman. So, the rider from the Kempen is certainly one to include in the list of favorites. The same goes for European champion Michael Vanthourenhout, who, as usual, is having a consistent year.

Last year, Gerben Kuypers was a real revelation. This year, too, he has been somewhat of a surprise, as he has already triumphed twice (in Oisterwijk and Ardooie). In both victories, he beat no slouches: even men like Iserbyt and Vanthourenhout couldn't keep up with the 23-year-old Flemish rider from Circus-Reuz-Technnord. His Swiss teammate Kevin Kuhn is also a potential outsider. The 25-year-old from Gibswil is typically a fast starter, although he often finds himself struggling a bit later on. If he manages to better distribute his energy, he absolutely belongs to the illustrious list of 'shadow favorites' in future races.

Top favorite:Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal)
Outsiders:Lars van der Haar (Baloise Trek Lions) and Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal)
Longshots: Joris Nieuwenhuis (Baloise Trek Lions), Gerben Kuypers (Circus-Reuz-Technord) and Laurens Sweeck (Crelan-Corendon)

Eurosport owns the broadcast rights to the Superprestige race in Ruddervoorde. The cyclo-cross race can be followed live on Eurosport 1 and via the digital channels (Eurosport.nl/Discovery+/GCN+). The broadcast for the women's race starts at 1:30 pm, the broadcast for the men at 3:00 pm.