Preview Superprestige Mol 2024 | Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert finally go head-to-head

December 23, 2024: Many cycling fans have marked that date in their calendars since the beginning of this month. On the first Monday of the Christmas holidays, world-top riders Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel will compete in the field for the first time this winter in Mol. IDLProCycling.com brings you up to speed on the details!

So in Mol - where they have joined the Superprestige for this year - they have the honor of hosting the first duel between the Big Two. And that is already obvious because ticket sales are running wild. 'In Mol, we expect a full house, but there are more factors, of course: think of the weather, for example. But anyway, we should not beat around the bush: their first race attracts an incredible amount of media attention and people.'

Multiple winner Van der Poel already competes in Zonhoven one day before, while Van Aert will work off his first cyclo-cross of a total of six, barely twenty minutes from his home. The past four editions have been neatly split two for two between the two stars, while Lucinda Brand has the upper hand as the ladies' winner.

Latest winners Zilvermeercross Mol

2023/2024 Mathieu van der Poel / Lucinda Brand
2022/2023 Wout van Aert / Shirin van Anrooij
2021/2022 Canceled 
2020/2021 Wout van Aert / Lucinda Brand
2019/2020 Mathieu van der Poel / Laura Verdonschot
2018/2019 Corné van Kessel / Sanne Cant
2017/2018 David van der Poel / Lucinda Brand
2016/2017 Mathieu van der Poel / Sanne Cant
2015/2016 Wout van Aert / Sabrina Stultiens
2014/2015 Wout van Aert / Jolien Verschueren

Course, weather and times Exact Cross Mol 2024

The course around Zilvermeer Lake in Kempen on Monday is 2.5 kilometers long. There is a double pit area on the beach. The back of the course has a technical zone with a few small hills followed by a large dune. The riders then return to the beach for the second pit area.

Sand is central to this cyclo-cross race and is known for the beautiful TV footage that can be captured along Silver Lake. For the rest, we can describe the course as 'classic,' with not too tricky passages. In other words, it was an excellent welcome for Van Aert, although Van der Poel also said he always likes this race.

Weather
There was still a bit of rain in the days leading up to the race in Mol, but on Monday, the organization seemed to get away with it. Sunshine, a moderate northwest wind, and a temperature of around 6 degrees Celsius are expected.

Times:
Start women: 1:40 PM locally (7:40 AM EST)
Finish women: around 2:30 PM locally (8:30 AM EST)
Start men: 3:10 PM locally (9:10 AM EST)
Finish men: around 4:10 PM locally (10:10 AM EST)

Favorites Superprestige Mol 2024 women

No Fem van Empel and Puck Pieterse in Mol, but certainly Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado of Fenix-Deceuninck and Baloise Trek Lions pawn Lucinda Brand. And they have something to ride for because they are only one point apart - in Alvarado's favor - in the battle for the Superprestige trophy.

Brand has the advantage of knowing what it's like to win in Mol, as she has already crossed the finish line in this race three times with her hands in the air. Regarding power, it's the same for both women: Brand and Alvarado ride in Hulst and Zonhoven.

Sara Casasola (Corelan-Corendon), the number three of the Superprestige, is also competing, although she is in no man's land. The Italian will want to confirm in Mol but must compete against teammate Inge van der Heijden and ladies like Annemarie Worst (Cyclocross Reds) and Laura Verdonschot (De Ceuster-Bouwpunt).

Top favorite: Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions)
Outsiders: Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Fenix-Deceuninck) and Annemarie Worst (Cyclocross Reds)
Longshots: Sara Casasola, Inge van der Heijden (Crelan-Corendon) and Laura Verdonschot (De Ceuster-Bouwpunt)

Favorites Superprestige Mol 2024 men 

So, on behalf of Visma | Lease a Bike, Wout van Aert is the man to make his comeback on Monday, but what will he be capable of? And to what extent will eternal rival Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) want to crush Van Aert's hopes immediately? VDP, with his track record, will already be a top favorite at the start.

Say sand, then you also quickly end up with Laurens Sweeck of Crelan-Corendon. So the Belgian is also one of the outsiders for Monday, along with men in form like Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) and Toon Aerts (Deschacht-Hens-FSP). Based on past years, a podium shot with Van der Poel and Van Aert would be something nice for them.

Of course, there is the battle for the Superprestige trophy, which is also very exciting. Lars van der Haar (Baloise Trek Lions) and Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Deceuninck) are in the lead there together, with Vanthourenhout on the back foot. At four and five, we find Felipe Orts (Ridley) and Joran Wyseure (Correlan-Corendon), who thus also have something to compete for.  

Top favorite: Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
Outsiders: Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike) and Laurens Sweeck (Crelan-Corendon)
Longshots: Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal), Lars van der Haar (Baloise Trek Lions) and Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Deceuninck)

TV broadcast Superprestige Mol 2024

Monday's Superprestige in Mol can be followed mainly via Eurosport, which will offer live coverage on the main channel and HBO Max from 1:30 PM (7:30 EST) (and will continue with the men immediately after the women).

Read also

Van der Poel vs. Van Aert on the horizon, but Alpecin boss Roodhooft remains cautious: "Don’t expect too much"

Van Aert’s ultimate goals are driven by pure passion: "I’ve always wanted to be the best at everything"

Preview World Cup Zonhoven 2024 | Watch and enjoy Mathieu van der Poel's return!