With World Champion Zdenek Stybar out with injury, the hometown favorites at the 2015 World Cyclocross Championship will have to fight their way through the fields if they want a chance at first. We present to you some of our favorite contenders for the Men's Elite Race, with a quick look at all the American racers as well as some international riders to look out for. The weather shows that snow will be likely before and during the Women's and Junior races on Saturday. Only time will tell how much of that will factor into Sunday's U23 and Men's races.
Also, don't miss our Women's Elite Race Preview for Tabor.
The Favorites: Wout van Aert
Wout van Aert, like Mathieu van der Poel, is showing the U23s have the endurance and speed to beat the best Elite men. © Bart Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
This year, Wout van Aert never dropped below a top ten all year, and his sheer amount of wins are staggering. For a detailed look at his season, along with Mathieu van der Poel’s season, be sure to check out our article on their decision to join the Elites in Tabor.
Some of the key moments include him surprising the field at Koppenburgcross with a controversial win over Sven Nys, and his win during his first try of a World Cup in the Elite field in Koksijde. Some have been looking at his most recent performance and questioning if he has the legs to win at Tabor. Apart from Cyclocross Otegem, where he placed fifth, one could hardly call Van Aert’s races uninspiring. He managed to land the podium in the Belgian Men’s Elite Race after breaking his rear derailleur and he picked through all but Van der Poel at Hoogerheide.
Judging by the young Belgian’s reaction to second place, and telling a reporter that “Tabor is a different course than Hoogerheide,” it is certain that he will consider anything except first place a disappointing ride.
