Preview Superprestige Aardbeiencross Belgium 2024 | Nys kicks off for double cylo-cross weekend

The Aardbeiencross in Merksplas, Belgium, is an established name in the cyclo-cross circuit. It has been organized since 1987, and quite a few names have been added to the palmares over time. Sven Nys holds the men's record with eight wins, while Sanne Cant has won five of the nine editions of the women's cross. Last year, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado was the best for the second year in a row. At the same time, Joris Nieuwenhuis put on an impressive performance in a completely rain-drenched Superprestige-cross in the men's event. 

2023 Joris Nieuwenhuis / Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
2022 Laurens Sweeck / Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
2021 Eli Iserbyt / Lucinda Brand
2020 Michael Vanthourenhout / Lucinda Brand
2019 canceled due to stormy weather
2018 Mathieu van der Poel / Sanne Cant
2017 Mathieu van der Poel / Sanne Cant
2016 Mathieu van der Poel / Sophie de Boer
2015 Mathieu van der Poel / Sanne Cant
2014 Mathieu van der Poel / Sanne Cant

The Aardbeiencross opens with a furious start on the narrow Kapelstraat. A 90-degree turn immediately follows, so being in front will be a fight. From here, it's not far before the first obstacle will emerge. The riders will have to cross a set of barriers. The first set of stairs must be conquered after passing the pit area. This is at the end of a pretty technical section. From there, the riders will reach the point halfway through the cross. There, they have to cross a bridge that spans the Bolkse Beek.

Once there, they continue to a second stage, after which the course returns in the opposite direction. There, the riders still pass the monument honoring John William Harper, a British soldier who lost his life in the battle for the Belgian village. The next obstacle comes a bit late, but after a "pause," the final looms with a giant sandpit. From there, it's three more turns to the finish on Kapelstraat.

Weather
Unlike last year's edition, it will most likely be a dry Saturday. A temperature of five to seven degrees can be expected, and a strong wind from a southwesterly direction. Nothing will really affect the course, so it's an open competition!

Times
Start women: 7:40 a.m.
Finish women: 8:25 a.m.
Start men: 9:10 a.m. 
Finish men: 10:10 a.m. 

Fem Van Empel is still absent, so the battle for wins has become a battle of two. Lucinda Brand and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado divided the victories last weekend but will compete again on Saturday. Will we get a battle, or will one of the two again be much better? Brand was convincingly the strongest last Sunday in Lokeren; Alvarado just pulled off an impressive solo one day later in Niel.

For the competition, we don't have to look far on the starting list. Sara Casasola has been "best of the non-Dutchies" all season, although teammate Marion Norbert-Riberolle passed her at the last minute in Niel. The Corelan-Corendon duo will want to be there again in Merksplas. In addition to Norbert-Riberolle, Belgian riders are still hoping for Laura Verdonschot.

Dominant with a capital D, that's what Thibau Nys showed during the last few cyclo-cross races when he participated. For now, the Belgian of Baloise Trek Lions has always been there one weekend day but plans to be there this weekend on both Saturday in Merksplas and Sunday in Hamme. Bad news for the competition, as Nys' legs are thriving by now. And there is little to be done about it then....

Usually, they should have the answer at Pauwels-Sauzen-Bingoal, but Eli Iserbyt and Michael Vanthourenhout couldn't peak yet this year. Baloise Trek Lions is much more dominant with Nys, including Lars van der Haar. The Dutch rider has already shown his excellent legs several times. Pim Ronhaar is also getting stronger by the week.

Felipe Orts, Niels Vandeputte, and Toon Aerts have already had their foot in the door for the podium more than once. Joran Wyseure should also be able to get into that battle.

In the Netherlands, one can follow cyclo-cross via Eurosport. On TV, the broadcast starts after the ladies' race, at 8 a.m.. Online, however, one can watch in full: HBO Max and Discovery+ begin as early as 7:37 a.m. The men's cyclo-cross race can be followed from the start: it begins at 9:05 a.m.