European Cyclocross Championships 2024 in Pontevedra: Preview men – Thibau Nys or Lars van der Haar top favorite?

It could well be an extremely exciting European cyclo-cross championship on Sunday. We have already seen several exciting crosses this season, the course is suitable for it and there is no absolute top favorite. Michael Vanthourenhout is the defending champion, but is not the big favorite. Is that Thibau Nys? Eli Iserbyt? Or Lars van der Haar? CyclingFlits looks ahead.

History

Last year

Course

The cross route in Pontevedra is located in a local park. Alvaro Garcia, one of the people from the local organization, tells us more. “We don’t really know what to expect in terms of the audience. The cross takes place in a popular park, but these are not exactly the people who also come to watch a cross. In any case, we hope that many people will come and watch. Admission is also free, by the way.”

The park is located on a local river, which has an effect on the course. Garcia explains why. “Every now and then the water rises quite high and then the area around the river is somewhat flooded. The surface of the European Championship course is therefore somewhat swampy. You will certainly not see mud in Pontevedra, but the surface is not really bone dry, like in Benidorm for example. But it will be a fast cross.”

“Certainly in the first part of the course there are mainly long straight stretches. There is also a sandbox there, but in principle it is not too difficult to navigate.” So for the center of gravity we have to go to the end of the circle. Then there are three artificial bridges on the menu, as well as many bends and an inclined strip here and there. These will probably be decisive.

“The last bridge in particular can make a difference. There is also a sloping edge at the end of the round, which can also have an impact on the result. But I expect that the last minutes of the round can be particularly exciting. That’s where you can make a difference.” In other words, we may have exciting matches in Pontevedra. It won’t be easy to make a difference, so every technical mistake will have a major impact.

Program and information

Location
Xunqueira University Campus, Rúa Celso Emilio Ferreiro 36005 Pontevedra

Public information
Entrance is free.

Practical information
Website organization
Participants (CyclingFlash)

Favorites men

Last week we watched the performance of Thibau Nys in Overijse. The still young rider raced very dominantly for an hour, after which he convincingly overpowered his opponents in the final round. Nys seemed to shake off all doubts at once. “This victory gives me confidence that I can continue this, but it is of course no guarantee of a win for the next two or three races,” Nys said afterwards. On the Koppenberg he came to a standstill in the second part of the cross.

Yet we see Nys as the man to beat for European Championship gold. Nys gets a tailor-made course, one where he can use his technical capabilities and explosiveness. It will be anything but easy, because… That is, Iserbyt is also doing well. Iserbyt has had a turbulent start to the season, but showed in Overijse that he is not much inferior to Nys. Iserbyt is an all or nothing man at championships.

Iserbyt and Nys, the two favorites for Sunday – photo: Cor Vos

Michael Vanthourenhout is the championship rider of recent seasons. Vanthourenhout won the past two European championships, each time in a great way. He is also in good condition this season, he has already won in Ardooie and finished on the podium three times. However, we think it is rather likely that the man from West Flanders will wear the European jersey for the third year in a row.

Whoever can become European champion for the third time is Lars van der Haar. He is the hope of the Dutch. Van der Haar has also started the season particularly well. He won three times in five races. His victory on the Koppenberg was certainly impressive, but his third place in Overijse – on a day where he was constantly lagging behind – was also impressive. Van der Haar is also a king in peaking.

Focus in Van der Haar’s gaze, will we see that on Sunday too? – photo: Cor Vos

Nys, Iserbyt and Van der Haar seem to be the three big favorites, including Vanthourenhout. We place it at the same height as the latter Niels Vandeputte in Laurens Sweeck. Vandeputte has started a very consistent season and should have always won in Essen, but he made a mistake in the last corner. Sweeck took full advantage and won on his return to the field. Both Vandeputte and Sweeck will have a course that should suit them very well.

We have mentioned six names, but we certainly haven’t run out of favorites yet. For example, we have not yet talked about Joran Wyseure, the winner of the first round of the Superprestige in Ruddervoorde. In conversation with us, Van der Haar already pointed to Wyseure as a dangerous outsider. Toon Aerts, Pim Ronhaar, Toon Vandebosch, Witse Meeussen, Gerben Kuypers and Felipe Orts Lloret also deserve a mention.

Favorites according to WielerFlits
*** That is, Iserbyt
** Thibau Nys, Lars van der Haar
* Michael Vanthourenhout, Laurens Sweeck, Niels Vandeputte

List of participants for men (CyclingFlash)

Weather and TV

The riders will be able to race in Pontevedra on Sunday under pleasant weather conditions. Weeronline expects temperatures to fluctuate around 20 degrees Celsius. The cyclo-cross riders should not expect a cloud cover or precipitation, which makes it appear to be a particularly pleasant day on Sunday.

The European Cyclo-Cross Championships can of course be followed live on television. Belgian fans can follow the races on Sporza, on VRT1. The European Championship can also be viewed via the Eurosport 1, HBO Max and Discovery+ channels. For more information you can always visit our TV guide ‘Cycling on TV’.

Listen to the new WielerFlits Podcast here. From 54:24 it is about the European Cyclo-cross Championships.