Preview: Cyclocross Otegem 2025 – Repechage for the Belgian Championship

The Belgian and Dutch championships will hardly have been completed before it will be time for a new cyclo-cross. On Monday the cyclo-cross riders will travel to Otegem, where they will complete a separate cross. Traditionally, the Belgian champions show their national jersey there for the first time and the rest get a chance for a second chance. Is that also the case now? CyclingFlits looks ahead.

History

Last year

Course

“If I had to describe our course in one word, I would call it a ‘stoemperscross’,” organizer Benny Lavaert told us last year. Those words are also relevant this year, because the course has not changed. “In Otegem the riders know that they will see a lot of mud, in flat meadows that are often not easy to get to.” Given the heavy rainfall in recent days, this is no different now.

Fortunately, there are still plenty of obstacles that break the rhythm. “We also have some show elements. Of course there were all our traditional bridges and small mountains, but we still wanted some more diversity in the course. So we built a sandbox ourselves and added some washboards. The spectators appreciate that.”

Also typical for Otegem: the very long asphalt strip towards the arrival. Of the 2650 meters of the circuit, the riders have to ride almost a kilometer on paved strips. There, crooked situations can sometimes be corrected, while the real differences are made in the meadows.

Program and information

Location
Heestertstraat, Otegem

Public information
Tickets can be purchased on site for 12 euros each. Children up to 12 years old can enter for free. In and around Otegem you can also purchase pre-sale tickets in several places. You can find that information here.

Practical information
Website organization
List of participants for men (Cyclingflash)
Women participants (Cyclingflash)

Favorites men

The organization of the cyclocross in Otegem can be satisfied with the field of participants. Although the new Belgian champion Thibau Nys is missing, he signs, among others That is, Iserbyt present. The previous Belgian champion has had a changeable season, one with ups and downs. Sometimes he completely disappears from the scene, other times he drives everyone and everything home. In Otegem Iserbyt is usually at the appointment. We wouldn’t be surprised if he took another victory on Monday.

Toon Aerts is perhaps Iserbyt’s biggest opponent, especially on that course. Otegem is a tough cross, and Aerts is always happy with that. The heavier, the better. For example, the course of the Belgian championship suits him much less. Aerts has not won since his return, and who knows, Otegem might be the perfect cyclocross race to change that.

Also Laurens Sweeck is in the party. The Crelan-Corendon rider is one of the riders of this season, unlike the 2023-2024 season. Sweeck divides the cyclo-cross winter cleverly and chooses his crosses. That approach pays off, because the Kempen native has already won several times this season. In principle, Otegem is not necessarily a cross that suits him, but a good Sweeck can also compete here for prizes.

We wouldn’t be surprised if Joran Wyseure does that too. The West Flemish and teammate of Sweeck is always at his best in muddy and heavy crosses. Finally, we also mention Cameron Mason in Girl Michels. They can aim for a ranking in the top 5.

Favorites according to WielerFlits
*** That is, Iserbyt
** Toon Aerts, Laurens Sweeck
*Joran Wyseure, Cameron Mason, Jente Michels

List of participants for men (Cyclingflash)

Favorites women

While we will have a battle between Belgians for the men, for the women it will be an old-fashioned Netherlands-Belgium. Although it may depend on how motivated Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado will be. If she fully opens the throttle in round one or round two, in principle no one will be able to follow. Alvarado has been a level higher than the rest of this field in recent seasons.

Update: Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado did not start after all.

All respect for ‘the rest’, by the way. This will include: Marion Norbert Riberolle trying to put the heat on Alvarado. The Belgian will do this in a brand new jersey, because on Saturday she was crowned Belgian champion in Heusden-Zolder. A sweater like that can of course give you wings.

Sanne Cant will also be at the start of the cross in Otegem. She skipped the Belgian championship and is therefore fresh. Fresh and motivated. Cant is riding strong this winter and still expects a lot from himself. If Alvarado doesn’t fill up right away, Cant could last a long time. We will mention further Aniek van Alphenthe Dutch one from Seven Racing. She is having a bad season and could use a boost.

We also saw a strong one at the Belgian Championships Julie Brewers. The 22-year-old rider finished third behind Norbert Riberolle and Laura Verdonschot. Alicia Franck had to settle for fourth place in Heusden-Zolder, but did have a good opening round. Can she continue that a little longer this time?

Favorites according to WielerFlits
*** Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
** Marion Norbert Riberolle, Sanne Cant
* Aniek van Alphen, Julie Brouwers, Alicia Franck

Women participants (Cyclingflash)

Weather and TV

The day after the national championships, the cyclo-cross riders will be faced with another very cold day. Weatheronline expect the mercury to rise just above 0 degrees Celsius. The riders should not expect strong wind or rain.

The cross in Otegem will not be broadcast live on television. There is also no live stream. Afterwards you can leave CyclingFlits read the match report.