To close up the UCI Cyclocross World Cup season, we are traveling back to Besançon, France. With the overall winner guaranteed and a Saturday race in Belgium, a lot of top riders will be missing.
Last season’s Besançon winner was Lucinda Brand (Baloise Trek Lions). However, she will not be defending her title this season.
The grand finale is here 🎉
Here's to the last round of the 2022/23 @UCIcyclocrossWC next 29 January 👊#CXWorldCup pic.twitter.com/qpedMAhDHe
— UCI Cyclocross (@UCI_CX) January 27, 2023
Elite Women
It looks like Fem van Empel will not be attending the race, and instead focused on crushing her competition on Saturday at the X2O Badkamers Trofee race in Hamme.
Fem van Empel wint op overtuigende wijze de Rectavit Flandriencross in Hamme 💪🏆#x20badkamerstrofee #rectavitflandriencross #veldrijden #cyclocross @FemEmpel pic.twitter.com/bxiRyII996
— X²O Badkamers Trofee (@X2OTrofee) January 28, 2023
Here are some of the top racers that will be attending the race:
- Dutch National Champion Puck Pieterse (Alpecin – Deceuninck)
- Denise Betsema (Pauwels Sauzen – Bingoal)
- Inge van der Heijden (Team 777)
- Annemarie Worst (Team 777)
Betsema also raced Saturday in Hamme.
Eleven North Americans will be attending the last UCI World Cup of the season.
Seven Americans will be attending.
- Lizzy Gunsalus
- Clara Honsinger
- Austin Killips
- Jennifer Malik
- Madigan Munro
- Raylyn Nuss
- Emily Werner
Four Canadians will be attending.
- Christiane Bilodeau
- Siobhan Kelly
- Sidney Mcgill
- Maghalie Rochette
The overall winner series is already set. With such a dominating lead of 45 points, Fem van Empel will not be racing the last event.
See the full start list below.
2023 UCI World Cup Besançon Start List Elite WomenJunior Women
Seven North Americans will be attending the last UCI World Cup of the season.
Four Canadians will be attending.
- Ava Holmgren
- Isabella Holmgren
- Madeleine Pollock
- Geza Rodgers
Three Americans will be attending.
- Vida Lopez De San Roman
- Kaya Musgrave
- Samantha Scott
The overall winner will be Lauren Molengraaf. After winning every UCI World Cup race, she has a commanding lead of 66 points. Following van Empel’s lead, she too will be skipping the last race.
See the full start list below.
2023 UCI World Cup Besançon Start List Junior Women