Preview X2O Trophy Herentals 2024 | Cyclo-cross comes to Wout van Aert’s hometown!

Cyclo-cross is coming home! After a weekend in Ireland and a rain-and-wind-soaked event in Sardinia, this week sees the return of two races in Belgium. First up is Herentals, a newer classic on the cyclo-cross calendar. IDLProCycling.com takes a closer look at the Saturday race, which will take place in the hometown of Wout van Aert — though he won’t be competing.

Herentals has deep roots in cyclo-cross, producing legends like Paul Herygers, Erwin Vervecken, Bart Wellens, and, of course, Van Aert. The latter won the first two editions of his 'home' race and was a strong contender last winter before a puncture in the final lap ended his chances. However, like last year, Van Aert won’t be competing as he is attending a training camp in Spain with his Visma | Lease a Bike road team.

Despite Van Aert’s absence, the field remains packed with talent, and the riders are eager to return to racing. Most haven’t competed in nearly two weeks, following the cancellation of the Sardinia race last weekend.

Latest winners X2O Trophy Herentals

2023/2024 Mathieu van der Poel / Fem van Empel
2022/2023 Mathieu van der Poel / Puck Pieterse
2021/2022 Wout van Aert / Lucinda Brand
2020/2021 Wout van Aert / Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado

Course, weather and times X2O Trophy Herentals 2024

The 3,300-meter course in Herentals mostly runs through the Sport Vlaanderen complex, with the highlight being the Skiberg — a 21-meter hill riders must climb twice per lap. Once used for recreational skiing, the Skiberg is now a challenging obstacle for cyclo-cross and mountain bike races. Recent seasons have seen thrilling descents here, and more excitement is expected this year.

From the starting line, the riders head into Netepark, crossing a flatter section of the course, before heading past the sports hotel and onto the athletics track as they make their way toward the Skiberg. After tackling the hill twice, the course loops back through the park and then crosses a technical forest section before finishing.

Weather
Cold weather has settled in in Belgium, and Herentals will be no exception. Saturday’s temperatures are expected to peak at just 5°C (41°F). The dry conditions and strong winds from earlier in the week mean the course should be fast.

Times
Start women: 1:45 PM local time (7:45 AM EST)
Finish women: 2:35 PM local time (8:35 AM EST)
Start men: 3:00 PM local time (9:00 AM EST)
Finish men: 4:00 PM local time (10:00 AM EST)

Favorites women's X2O Trophy Herentals 2024

Over the last four years, the Herentals X2O Trophy has been dominated by the big four in cyclo-cross — Lucinda Brand, Fem van Empel, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, and Puck Pieterse. This time, Pieterse is sitting out the race, returning to competition on Sunday in Namur. Still, the race promises excitement with Van Empel, Brand, and Alvarado all lining up at the starting line.

Last year’s race was a nail-biter to the very end, thanks to Brand and Van Empel. We have high hopes for another thrilling showdown this year! Brand currently leads the overall standings, while Alvarado and Van Empel are well behind, trailing by five and almost ten minutes, respectively.

Other riders to watch include Annemarie Worst, Aniek van Alphen (Cyclocross Reds), Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal), Laura Verdonschot (De Ceuster-Bouwpunt), Manon Bakker, and Marion Norbert-Riberolle (Crelan-Corendon). Additionally, British talent Cat Ferguson is making her debut for Movistar — can she make an impression?

Top favorite: Fem van Empel (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Outsiders: Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions) and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Fenix-Deceuninck)
Long shots: Aniek van Alphen, Annemarie Worst (Cyclocross Reds), Laura Verdonschot (De Ceuster-Bouwpunt) and Marion Norbert-Riberolle (Crelan-Corendon)

Favorites men's X2O Trophy Herentals 2024

With no racing last weekend, Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal’s winning streak remains intact. Eli Iserbyt (Kortrijk and Antwerp) and Michael Vanthourenhout (Dublin) have won the last three cyclo-cross races and are determined to do everything they can to keep that momentum going in Herentals.

However, they face strong competition. Lars van der Haar and Pim Ronhaar lead Baloise Trek Lions, though Thibau Nys won’t be racing until Sunday in Namur after a training camp with Lidl-Trek. Alpecin-Deceuninck is counting on Niels Vandeputte and Jente Michels, while Laurens Sweeck, Toon Vandebosch (Crelan-Corendon), Ryan Kamp (Fenix-Deceuninck), and Cameron Mason (Cyclocross Reds) add depth to the field. Finally, Toon Aerts, who will enjoy racing close to home, will be eager to build on his solid performance in Dublin.

Top favorite: Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal)
Outsiders: Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) and Lars van der Haar (Baloise Trek Lions)
Long shots: Toon Aerts (Deschacht - Hens - FSP), Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Pim Ronhaar (Baloise Trek Lions) and Laurens Sweeck (Crelan-Corendon)

TV broadcast X2O Trophy Herentals 2024

The X2O Trophy Herentals takes place on Saturday, marking a return to Belgian soil after two weeks away. The races will start at the usual time. The women’s race at 1:45 PM local time (7:45 AM EST), followed by the men’s race at 3:00 PM local time (9:00 AM EST). Live coverage begins at 1:30 PM local time (7:30 AM EST) on Sporza (VRT1) and Eurosport (main channel and HBO Max).

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