2024-2025 UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup: big names shine in Namur

Vanthourenhout doubles down, Alvarado in front

December is the busiest month of the 2024-2025 UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup season, with numerous rounds taking place across Europe, from Dublin (Ireland) on 1 December to Besançon (France) on 29 December, passing through Namur (Belgium) on the 15th, Hulst (Netherlands) on the 21st, Zonhoven (Belgium) on the 22nd, and Gavere (Belgium) on the 26th.

The third round, which was supposed to take place in Cabras-Sardinia (Italy) on 8 December, was canceled due to weather conditions that did not allow for a safe event, but riders still have six more rounds of the UCI World Cup to race during the last month of the year, before January 2025, which will feature four rounds before the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships, set to take place in Liévin, France, on 31 January 31 to 2 February.

The most recent round took place in Namur on 15 December. The event was highlighted by Belgian Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal), already the leader of the Men Elite general classification after a podium finish in the first round in Antwerp and a victory in Dublin, and Dutch rider Ceylin Alvarado (Fenix-Deceuninck), who won the 2023-2024 UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup in the Women Elite category, with her last victory coming from the Namur round last season.

Alvarado enjoys the mud in Namur

A year ago, Alvarado’s smile gleamed under the sun in Namur. This time, her face was covered in mud after a spectacular struggle to hold off her competitors, particularly Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions).

Brand, the leader of the general classification, second in Antwerp and winner in Dublin, was distanced early in the race, as was UCI World Champion Fem van Empel (Visma-Lease a Bike). Alvarado, for her part, had a great start and went off on her own in the third lap.

"In the first part, I felt very good," Alvarado confirmed after her win. "Then, fatigue set in, and I started making a few mistakes. Also, with my glasses, I couldn't see anything because of the mud, but I didn’t want to throw them away, or else the mud would get in my eyes. I made a few mistakes, but I still managed to keep them behind me."

Alvarado was particularly impressed by Brand, who tried to close the gap until the very end, ultimately reducing it to six seconds at the finish line. "She was really strong today," Alvarado said. "Of course, sometimes it’s easier to chase than to be chased. She did really well, but I think she got close because of my mistakes in the final lap."

After finishing 5th in Antwerp and missing the Dublin round, Alvarado moved into 5th place in the overall standings (with 61 points), while Brand, leading the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup, extended her lead to 11 points over Van Empel (100 points to 89).

Vanthourenhout takes advantage of his "luck"

Vanthourenhout holds a larger lead in the Men Elite standings: with 105 points (after two wins and a 3rd place), the Belgian leader has a 27-point lead over his compatriot Toon Aerts, who finished second in both Dublin and Namur after an 8th place in Antwerp.

Aerts almost won in Namur with a powerful attack in the final lap… but a mistake in a corner allowed Vanthourenhout to close the gap and take the win again in the Belgian city, three years after his previous victory at the same UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup event.

"I thought the race was over, but I saw Toon crash in front, so I went full gas until the finish," said a delighted Vanthourenhout. "These past few weeks, luck has been on my side. Maybe when you’re in good condition, luck smiles at you… It’s an incredible feeling."

Having become a regular contender in the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup due to his consistency – six top 5 finishes in the final overall standings, including second places in the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 seasons – Vanthourenhout is having the best ever start in the series. Will he be able to maintain his good luck?

The action continues with two more rounds, in Hulst (21 December) and Zonhoven (22 December), next weekend. The latter will feature the return of Dutch Mathieu Van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), who won five of the six UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup rounds in the 2023-2024 season.