The Luxembourger and the Dutch prevail in the event that precedes Sunday's in the Zonhoven arena, where the multiple world champion will finally return to competition.
The day of firsts, in Hulst for a stage of the World Cup which takes us towards the most intense and beautiful period of the great cyclocross season, with all the Christmas classics.
On the mud of the Dutch resort, it is a local idol who triumphs as never before, at an elite level, in the top circuit: Niels Vandeputte gives a wonderful success to Alpecin-Deceuninck, dominating from the start, just on the eve of the return leg in the race of his “captain”, Mathieu Van der Poel, who will be the protagonist in Zonhoven on Sunday.
Vandeputte clearly beat Felipe Orts, once again on a very prestigious podium ahead of Pim Ronhaar, 3rd for the Baloise-Trek, beating Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen), fourth ahead of a rediscovered Mason, with the Briton allowing himself to also anticipate the leader of CdM, Michael Vanthourenhout just 7th in the challenge which saw Gioele Bertolini achieve a decent 22nd finish.
First hurrah also in the women's field at this level for Marie Schreiber, with the Luxembourger beating five Oranges in a series at their home: without Fem Van Empel, again with knee problems after a fall on the eve of the race, is Lucinda Brand in play for it this time too, also defending its leadership in the cup standings, but this time “only” comes second place ahead of Pieterse, Worst, Van der Heijden and Bentveld. Sara Casasola, the lighthouse of the Italian movement, abandoned around halfway through the race: good placings for Rebecca Gariboldi, 23rd, with Carlotta Borello 26th and Francesca Baroni 28th.
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