The Maasmechelen World Cup will be the final round of the competition in Belgium. The competition ends this weekend with this and the Hoogerheide events, but the previous will be Wout van Aert’s final race of the cyclocross season.
Initially he planned on racing six, but it turned out to be only five events for the Team Visma | Lease a Bike rider. It is still not known if he will face Mathieu van der Poel this Saturday but if so, it will only be the second duel between the two throughout the whole cyclocross winter. One spot remains open for the Belgians at the World Championships, so it is not impossible that van Aert will prolong his season by one week, but it remains very unlikely.
With two rounds to go, two of Belgium’s best – Michael Vanthourenhout and Toon Aerts – will also be present and fighting in what can be Vanthourenhout’s decisive day to seal the competition. The entire Top6 is made of Belgians and they are all present actually.
Thibau Nys, the European and Belgian champion, has just won the Benidorm World Cup and will be a prime contender for victory. Niels Vandeputte, Joran Wyseure, Emiel Verstrynge, Laurens Sweeck and Eli Iserbyt all form part of the Belgian block for this race.
Belgium for men’s World Cup Maasmechelen:
Thibau Nys
Wout van Aert
Niels Vandeputte
Joran Wyseure
Toon Aerts
Emiel Verstrynge
Jens Adams
Jente Michels
Victor Van de Putte
Anton Ferdinande
Michael Vanthourenhout
Laurens Sweeck
Sil de Brauwere
Eli Iserbyt
For the women’s race, the nation packs a large amount of riders, but it’s hopes will lie on national champion Marion Norbert Riberolle and her veteran teammate Sanne Cant to try and finish within the Top10.
Belgium for women’s World Cup Maasmechelen:
Julie Brouwers
Alicia Franck
Jinse Peeters
Xaydee van Sinaey
Kiona Crabbé
Nette Coppens
Alexe de Raedemaeker
Xenna de Bruyckere
Febe de Smedt
Floor van Elsacker
Marion Norbert Riberolle
Sanne Cant
Lotte Baele
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