Preview Superprestige Middelkerke l Will Brand pull it off, or will Alvarado surprise?
Cyclo-cross
The cyclo-cross World Championships in Liévin are behind us, but that doesn't mean we can now fully focus on road cycling. Cyclo-cross riders are back at the start in the last race of the Superprestige ranking on Saturday. Big names like Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, and, among the women, Fem van Empel and Puck Pieterse are absent, but it's still exciting nonetheless. IDLProCycling.com takes you along the course and gives you a preview!
We may be in the final stretch of the cyclo-cross season, but that doesn't mean there's nothing left to compete for. Things are not fixed yet in the Superprestige rankings. Niels Vandeputte is in a perfect position, but he is unsure. It is incredibly exciting among the women: Brand and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado are only one point apart!
Latest winners Superprestige cyclocross Middelkerke
2024 - Eli Iserbyt / Lucinda Brand
2023 - Eli Iserbyt / Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
2021 - Laurens Sweeck / Denise Betsema
2020 - Laurens Sweeck / Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
2019 - Mathieu van der Poel / Denise Betsema
2018 - Mathieu van der Poel / Sanne Cant
2017 - Mathieu van der Poel / Sanne Cant
2016 - Mathieu van der Poel / Sanne Cant
2015 - Kevin Pauwels / Sanne Cant
2014 - Tom Meeusen / Helen Wyman
Course, weather and times Superprestige Middelkerke 2025
The start and finish are again on the Westendelaan. The asphalt passage has been much shorter since 2023, and this year is no different. Immediately after arrival, they turn right and follow several short loops parallel to the asphalt strip, where the first hills also loom.
After a first run through the pit area, the peloton moves to the westernmost part of the course, right next to the indoor tennis court, where the VIP area has also been established. Barriers and a second passage through the sand follow. A final loop, with another crossing through the pit area, brings the riders back to the finish line.
Weather
There may be some rain in the morning, but it will remain dry in the afternoon with a temperature of about seven degrees. The cyclo-cross riders won't see much sun; clouds will cover it. The wind is not too strong either, with a force 3 wind.
Times (Saturday, February 8, 2025)
Start women: 07:40 AM EST
Finish women: approx. 8:30 AM EST
Start men: 09:10 AM EST
Finish men: approx. 10:00 AM EST
Favorites women's Superprestige Middelkerkede 2025
The women are only concerned with one thing this weekend: winning the Superprestige. After seven heats, Lucinda Brand leads the race with 100 points, thanks to three victories and constant second (and third) finishes. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado follows in second place with 99 points, having won four races and finished fourth once.
Brand is currently in the best position. The Baloise Glowi Lions rider has simply been much stronger than Alvarado lately. In Liévin, Brand was just one step away from her second world title, while Alvarado had to settle for seventh place.
Besides Brand and Alvarado, we look forward to Dutch riders Inge van der Heijden and Leonie Bentveld. Both ladies rode a strong World Championship—Van der Heijden finished fourth in the pros and Bentveld third in the U23s. Additionally, on Wednesday in Maldegem, Van der Heijden took second place. Furthermore, we can also expect something from Sanne Cant and Marion Norbert Riberolle, who are always capable of delivering a good performance.
Top favorite: Lucinda Brand (Baloise Glowi Lions)
Outsiders: Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Fenix-Deceuninck), Inge van der Heijden (Crelan-Corendon)
Long shots: Marion Norbert Riberolle (Crelan-Corendon), Sanne Cant (Crelan-Corendon), Leonie Bentveld (Pauwels Sauzen - Cibel Clementines)
Favorites men's Superprestige Middelkerkede 2025
Thanks to consistent performances, Niels Vandeputte is currently on 85 points in the Superprestige. Although he has not yet won in this competition, he does have a ten-point lead over his closest rival, Lars van der Haar, who will also appear at the start in Middelkerke. Since winning this cyclo-cross race earns 15 points, the Belgian of Alpecin-Deceuninck seems reasonably certain of the overall victory. However, should Van der Haar win, Vandeputte must finish in the top five to guarantee the win.
The main focus in the men's race is the day's victory. Besides Vandeputte - ill recently - and Van der Haar, we can count Michael Vanthourenhout in for that. However, someone else is still the most prominent contender, as Laurens Sweeck seems to have the best chance anyway. Especially after his win in Maldegem and the fact that there is sand in the course again. Eli Iserbyt finished second in Maldegem and is also definitely among the contenders.
There is a course that could suit Joran Wyseure well. Finally, Felipe Orts and Ryan Kamp deserve to be mentioned as outsiders for their good performances in Middelkerke.
Top favorite: Laurens Sweeck (Crelan-Corendon)
Outsiders: Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen - Cibel Clementines), Michael Vanthourenhout (Sauzen - Cibel Clementines), Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Deceunick)
Long shots: Lars van der Haar (Baloise Glowi Lions), Joran Wyseure (Crelan-Corendon), Felipe Orts (Ridley Racing Team), Ryan Kamp
TV broadcast Superprestige cyclocross Middelkerke 2025
The Superprestige Middelkerke can be followed on many channels. Telenet, Play Sports 1, Proximus, Pickx+ and Sports1 are live from 07:15 AM EST. Eurosport 1, HBO Max, and Discovery+ are available at 07:35 AM EST for the women and 09:00 AM EST for the men.
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Latest Comments
- Remco is still very young. And injuries can absolutely keep you from overdoing it and getting worse. The recent Remco accident didn't keep him from being able to ride a recumbent inside. Wout's knee is a different story thoughVeganpotter23-01-2025
- Van der Poel style is winning by a half a lap and leading the race from the end of the second lap.
Barnes127420-01-2025 - If she thinks talent alone will put her there she will not see many podium finishes much less a GC finish.....work as a team utilizing tactics to consistently be at the top.Germanrazor10-01-2025
- This was very informative! Luiz Antonio Duarte Ferreiraluizantonioduarteferreira02-01-2025
- 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