• Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 8:00 PM
The Ardooie: Quinten Hermans takes over, opposition gasps | Single crosses 2022″>Kermiscross in Ardooie is a special competition. This is a weekday cyclo-cross event, but the organization still manages to provide an excellent field of participants every year. Last year we saw Gerben Kuypers surprisingly take the upper hand over Eli Iserbyt and Michael Vanthourenhout. What can we expect this year? CyclingFlits looks ahead.
History
Last year
Course
The route of the Kermiscross has hardly changed compared to last year. A number of corners in the first phase of the cyclo-cross have been rerouted and the beams have been removed from the course. The cross in Ardooie, a typical meadow cross, has otherwise remained unchanged.
The starting point of the weekday cyclo-cross is therefore still in the long Stationsstraat. Then the crossers turn into the field. During heavy rainfall, the course quickly turns into a mud festival, requiring some serious slogging. A number of artificial obstacles such as hills, a slope and a bridge have also been constructed.
This will give us a more varied route, but the meadows will still predominate. In other words, good content is one of the most important requirements. The circuit in Ardooie is almost 3000 meters long in total. More than two kilometers concerns pasture. There are also a lot of bends, but the long straight strips will automatically bring riders with a large engine to the front.
Program and information
Program Thursday October 17, 2024
2.15pm: Elite women and youth categories
3.45 pm: Elite men
Location
Stationsstraat, 8850 Ardooie.
Public information
Tickets can be purchased on location, but can also be purchased in advance in various cafes in Ardooie.
Practical information
Website organization
Participant list women (CyclingFlash)
List of participants for men (CyclingFlash)
Favorites men
That is, Iserbyt has had an eventful weekend. The Belgian champion ended up in the eye of the storm after a riot in Beringen. Iserbyt and Ryan Kamp crashed together, after which Iserbyt stamped on Kamp’s spokes. Iserbyt was quickly disqualified by the UCI, after which he had to leave the race.
In any case, Iserbyt will want to turn the page. He gets a great opportunity for this in ‘his’ West Flanders. Last year he was surprisingly beaten by Gerben Kuypers.
It was a difficult day for Iserbyt – photo: Cor Vos
Someone who had a good day last Saturday was Michael Vanthourenhout. The Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal rider continued to play for the victory until the last round, but ultimately had to admit his superiority to Lars van der Haar. Vanthourenhout immediately showed that his form is more than fine.
Iserbyt and Vanthourenhout are the clear favorites, but in a loose cross like Ardooie things can always turn out differently. So don’t be surprised if Joran Wyseure suddenly comes close to winning. The course in Ardooie is tailor-made for the former U23 world champion. We can say the same about Jens Adamswho has already won once this season.
We are looking forward to Kuypers’ first cross – photo: Cor Vos
Gerben Kuypers was the best in Ardooie last year. He defeated Iserbyt and Vanthourenhout in the final. This year he is participating again, but it is his first cross of the season. So just wait and see. Finally, we mention the names of Lander LoockxFelipe Orts Lloret, Daan Soete, Ward Huybs and Witse Meeussen.
Favorites according to WielerFlits
*** That is, Iserbyt
** Michael Vanthourenhout, Joran Wyseure
* Gerben Kuypers, Jens Adams, Lander Loockx
Favorites women
Don’t look for Fem van Empel or Lucinda Brand in Ardooie. The number two from Beringen is there. Then of course we’re talking about it Ceylin del Carmen Alvaradowho did a very good job last weekend. The Dutch rider from Fenix-Deceuninck was able to stay close to Van Empel for a long time, but material problems set her back. Afterwards, Van Empel admitted that she had the impression that Alvarado was the best rider in the race.
Alvarado was visibly disappointed last weekend – photo: Cor Vos
Marion Norbert Riberolle could be the woman who can fight Alvarado the longest. The Belgian can certainly have a shot at the podium, and who knows – on a good day – even more. In Beringen she gave an okay impression, but the course was not tailor-made for her. The Crelan-Corendon rider already finished third in Ardooie last year. Denise Betsema showed in Beringen that she is okay, but not yet great. Her ninth place in Beringen could be equal to a ranking in the top 5 in Ardooie. The podium would be a boost for the experienced Dutchwoman.
Someone to look forward to Manon Baker. She started her season in mid-September, in the United States of America. Bakker rode eight races, but could not win. She did finish on the podium five times, including four second-place finishes. So Bakker is certainly fine, but she probably expected more from her trip to America. In Ardooie she will mingle with her fellow countrymen for the first time. She will also encounter a number of Belgian riders such as Julie Brewers, Alicia Franck in Kiona Crabbe.
Favorites according to WielerFlits
*** Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
** Marion Norbert Riberolle, Manon Bakker
* Denise Betsema, Alicia Franck, Julie Brouwers
Weather and TV
It could be a slog in Ardooie. It has rained a lot in recent days and that will be no different in the coming days. It could also rain heavily on Thursday. Weatheronline expect temperatures to be quite pleasant in the West Flemish municipality. The crossers will not be bothered too much by the wind.
Unfortunately, the Kermiscross Ardooie cannot be followed live on television. CyclingFlits will come up with a report on the cross for women and men. For more information about the broadcast times of other races, you can always visit our TV guide Cycling on TV.
