The eagerly awaited 2025 Superprestige Cyclocross event is set to take place on January 20, 2025, at the picturesque setting of Gullegem, Belgium. With temperatures forecasted to hover around 2 degrees Celsius, the excitement is palpable as leading athletes prepare to battle it out for this prestigious title.
This year’s lineup includes notable competitors who are no strangers to the high-intensity world of cyclocross. On the men’s side, all eyes will be on Wout van Aert, who is considered the frontrunner for victory. After making his season debut with strong performances, van Aert's strategy involves capitalizing on the absence of reigning world champion Mathieu van der Poel, giving him what many believe is his best chance to secure his first winter victory.
Wout van Aert, representing Visma | Lease a Bike, isn't stepping onto the course alone. A field of formidable challengers will also seek to claim victory, namely the likes of Eli Iserbyt, the reigning Belgian champion who plans to finally capture his first win at Gullegem. "Can Wout van Aert today book his first victory of the winter?" commentators from Proximus ponder as the tension rises.
Other notable competitors include Lars van der Haar, who is still nursing injury concerns, along with talented riders like Niels Vandeputte, Michael Vanthourenhout, and even up-and-comers such as Joran Wyseure. Vandeputte, already leading the overall Superprestige ranking, aims to maintain his advantage as he races on familiar ground.
The women’s race promises to be equally thrilling with Lucinda Brand and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado neck and neck for supremacy. Alvarado currently leads the Superprestige points standings by the narrowest of margins—just one point over Brand, intensifying their rivalry heading to Gullegem. Due to her recent success, Brand feels confident lining up on the challenging course where “she will enjoy the course dynamics,” as noted by WielerFlits.
Adding intrigue to the women's race is Zoe Bäckstedt, last year's winner at Gullegem, who is ready to capitalize on her past experience. Expect these three women to be the main figures battling for the top spot, but watch for other contenders such as Sanne Cant and Marion Norbert-Riberolle, who are also poised for strong performances.
The course itself extends over 2,600 meters, boasts technical challenges, and features the signature elements of cyclocross. Riders will navigate obstacles including hills, sand pits, and twists on the track. "Gullegem is mainly a typical West Flemish meadow cross, interrupted halfway by an artificial sand pit," they report on Proximus. Depending on the weather, the race could transform from manageable terrain to a treacherous course lined with mud, should any rain arrive.
With forecasts indicating mostly dry conditions with chances of rain, competitors are sure to prepare for varying circumstances. The women’s race is slated to kick off at 13:40 and will conclude around 14:30, followed by the men’s race starting at 15:10. It will be broadcasted on various networks including Eurosport and on local channels like Play Sports and Proximus.”
Therefore, as cyclists prepare their strategies for this pivotal race and make fine adjustments to tackle the demanding course, fans eagerly anticipate seeing if van Aert can dominate the field or if another athlete will seize the moment to shine. The stakes are high as Gullegem could play a significant role not only for individual achievements today but also for the overall Superprestige standing as competitors race toward the finish line.