On Friday the grueling cyclocross on and around the Koppenberg, and then two days later 1800 kilometers further the fast European Championships in Pontevedra, Spain. That’s the first November weekend for the cyclo-cross world in a nutshell, but how do you manage to get a good start in both races?
Not everyone opts for the double: for example, Laurens Sweeck and Niels Vandeputte skip the cross in Oudenaarde, knowing that they can have a serious chance of winning the European title on the course in Galicia. However, a large part of the already small cross peloton participates on both Friday and Sunday, as the general trend is that a classic like the Koppenberg is too important to skip.
“The combination is going to be tough,” says Thibau Nys in the preview of his Baloise Trek Lions team. ‘The Koppenberg is known as one of the toughest races on the calendar, and then a travel day to Spain on Saturday will not promote recovery. Anyway, for me the Koppenberg is simply too iconic to pass up.’
Lucinda Brand will also start in both matches. ‘It will be a difficult weekend from a travel perspective. We have already sent some bikes to Spain, but the other bikes will go that way immediately after the Koppenbergcross. Without the help of the team, none of this would be possible. I have to catch a flight, but above all eat and sleep a lot, to ensure that I can recover well.’
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Nys and Brand are among the top favorites for the European Cyclo-cross Championships
Both Nys and Brand have a good chance at the European Championships on Friday and certainly on Sunday. ‘It will be my first time in Pontevedra. The type of course makes less difference to me. If I have good legs, I have to adapt to every situation and hopefully compete for the highest rankings,” said the Belgian, winner in Overijse.
Brand expects an exciting battle on Spanish territory. ‘It’s going to be difficult to unload the others, so it may come down to what’s left in the tank at the end. But I’m definitely looking forward to it, both to the Koppenberg and the European Championships. As far as I’m concerned, a championship is always special,” concludes the experienced Dutchwoman.
