File photo: Sanne Cant looks to repeat her 2014 European Championships win. © Bart Hazen.
As the European Cyclocross Championships take to Huijbergen, Netherlands this Saturday, November 7, history will be made.
Not only in the Elite Women’s race, as Sanne Cant (Enertherm-BKCP) looks for a repeat of her 2014 win. This year’s European Championships will be the first year an Elite Men’s title will be awarded—similar to the Pan-American Championships, which were recently won by Jeremy Powers.
Last year’s racing saw Cant powering victory in a tightly-fought race, and fan-favorite Helen Wyman (Kona Factory) has been crowned European Elite Women’s Champion twice.
On the Elite Men’s side, the Belgian team will start an unheralded twelve racers, with Tom Meeusen (Telenet-Fidea) having the home field advantage, living less than 10km from the course. Huijbergen’s hilly parcours will suit Lars van der Haar (Giant-Alpecin), whose climbing prowess shines when the course turns upwards. Home field advantage and climbing prowess aside, Wout van Aert (Vastgoedservice – Golden Palace) has been nearly unbeatable this year, winning last weekend at Koppenbergcross, another climb-heavy course—his superior form may be able to trump the pure climbers, leading to some exciting racing.
The course in Huijbergen is climb-heavy and features a technical section an A/B option, which is uncommon on cross courses both in Europe and stateside.
Bill from CXHairs.com posted video of the option, which will make for some interesting racing, rewarding those brave enough—or technically skilled— to roll the dice down the A-line.
Keep an eye on cxmagazine.com this weekend as we provide you coverage from the European Cyclocross Championships.
