RACING AHEAD

waaslandcross (December 22)

Kicking off cyclo-cross Christmas week, the race takes place in the aptly named Sint-niklaas. Returning to form recently, Wout van Aert (Cibel-cebon) will be targeting successive victories. Brit Ben Tulett won the junior race last year.

cyclo-cross world cup namur (December 23)

Centred around the city’s castle, the race has been held since 2009 and only Mathieu van der Poel (Corendon-circus) has triumphed twice in the men’s race. British women have had success here, with both Evie Richards (2017) and Nikki Brammeier (2015) winning.

cyclo-cross world cup Heusden-zolder (December 26)

The famous Boxing Day cross race, Marianne Vos (Waowdeals) has won the race a record six times, and finished second twice. Belgian Laurens Sweeck (Pauwels Sauzen-vastgoedservice) isn’t in the best form, but he has finished second in the last two editions, so will be hopeful of taking the top step this time round.

Superprestige Diegem (December 30) Made memorable for being held in the evening under floodlights, Mathieu van der Poel could win for a fifth consecutive time. Sanne Cant was victorious last year, and a win for her would make it her third in the race.