It’s time to race again in Merksplas! The village just across the Belgian border is the setting for the Strawberry Cross, the fourth cyclocross in the Superprestige category. Who will emerge victorious and succeed Joris Nieuwenhuis and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado? In the Leader’s jersey considers…
The Strawberry Cross in Merksplas is an established name in the cross circuit. The cyclocross has been organized since 1987, and since then many names have been added to the list of achievements. Sven Nys is the record holder in the men’s race with eight victories, while Sanne Cant has won five of the nine editions of the women’s cross. Last year, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado was the best for the second year in a row, while among the men, Joris Nieuwenhuis performed an impressive number in a completely rained-out Superprestige cross.
Latest winners Superprestige Strawberry Cross Merksplas
2023 Joris Nieuwenhuis / Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
2022 Laurens Sweeck / Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
2021 That is, Iserby / Lucinda Brand
2020 Michael Vanthourenhout / Lucinda Brand
2019 canceled due to stormy weather
2018 Mathieu van der Poel / Sanne Cant
2017 Mathieu van der Poel / Sanne Cant
2016 Mathieu van der Poel / Sophie Boer
2015 Mathieu van der Poel / Sanne Cant
2014 Mathieu van der Poel / Sanne Cant
Course, weather and times Superprestige Strawberry Cross Merksplas 2024
The Strawberry Cross opens with a furious start on the narrow Kapelstraat. There will immediately be a 90 degree bend, so it will be a lot of twisting. From here it is not far before the first obstacle will appear. The riders will have to cross a set of beams. After passing the material station, the first set of stairs is overcome. That lies at the end of a quite technical section. From there the riders arrive at the halfway point of the cross. There they have to cross a bridge that spans the Bolkse Beek.
From there you continue to a second staircase, after which the route actually goes back in the opposite direction. The riders will pass the monument in honor of John William Harper, a British soldier who lost his life in the battle for the Belgian village. The next obstacle takes a while to arrive, but after a ‘breathing space’ the finale looms, with a large sandbox. From there it is three more bends to the finish on Kapelstraat.
Weather
Unlike last year’s edition, it will most likely be a dry Saturday. A temperature of five to seven degrees can be expected, and a strong wind from a south-westerly direction. Nothing that will really influence the course, so it’s an open battle!
Times
Start women: 1.40 pm
Women’s finish: 2:25 p.m
Start men: 3.10 pm
Men’s finish: 4:10 p.m
Favorites women Superprestige Strawberry Cross Merksplas 2024
Still without Fem van Empel, the battle for victories has turned into a battle of two. Lucinda Brand in Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado divided the loot last weekend, but are at each other’s throats again on Saturday. Will we have a fight, or will one of the two be much better again? Brand was convincingly the strongest in Lokeren last Sunday, Alvarado squeezed out an impressive solo a day later in Niel.
We don’t have to look far for competition on the starting list. Sara Casasola has been ‘best of the non-Dutchies’ all season, although she was passed by her teammate at the last minute in Niel Marion Norbert-Riberolle. The Crelan-Corendon duo will also want to be there again in Merksplas. The Belgian side still hopes for Norbert-Riberolle Laura Verdonschot.
Annemarie Worst wants to continue her comeback after a corona infection and Inge van der Heijden Just like Worst, he showed good legs several times. Will the puzzle work out for once? We are also very curious about the performance of Zoe Bäckstedt, who, after finishing seventh on her return to Lokeren, will undoubtedly want to do better in Merksplas.
Favorites men Superprestige Strawberry Cross Merksplas 2024
Dominant with a capital D, that’s what Thibau Nys was the last cross country event if he participated. The Belgian from Baloise Trek Lions has always been there for one weekend day, but intends to be present this weekend on Saturday in Merksplas and Sunday in Hamme. Bad news for the competition, because Nys’ legs are now running well. And then it turns out that little can be done about it…
Normally they should have the answer at Pauwels-Sauzen-Bingoal, but That is, Iserby in Michael Vanthourenhout couldn’t really peak yet this year. Baloise Trek Lions is much more dominant with Nys and that is also the case Lars van der Haar but at. The Dutchman has already shown his excellent legs several times. Also Pim Ronhaar It’s been another week and will therefore be a bit stronger again.
Felipe Orts, Niels Vandeputte in Toon Aerts have now gotten their foot in the door for the stage more than once. Also Joran Wyseure must be able to join that battle.
TV Superprestige Strawberry Cross Merksplas 2024
In the Netherlands you can follow the winter cycling violence via Eurosport. On TV, the broadcast only starts after the ladies start, at 2 p.m. that is. However, you can watch it in full online: HBO Max in Discovery+ start at 1:37 PM. The men’s cross can be followed from the start: it starts at 3:05 PM.
