Joris Nieuwenhuis was indeed on the start list, but he will not participate in tonight's Superprestige in Diegem. The Dutchman finished third in Loenhout on Monday and seems to be focusing on the next X2O-cross in Baal on New Year's Day.
After a crash in the World Cup in Antwerp at the beginning of December, Nieuwenhuis went through a difficult period. The leader of the Ridley team struggled with physical complaints and had to abandon the races in Heusden-Zolder and Gavere due to knee problems.
Nevertheless, he decided to start in Monday’s Azencross in Loenhout, hoping to defend his lead in the X2O Badkamers Trophy, and the 29-year-old cyclocross rider succeeded with flying colors. Nieuwenhuis finished third and – even more importantly – extended his lead over direct rival Cameron Mason in the standings.
"I’m starting the next X2O-cross in Baal with even more margin now. This definitely gives confidence for the upcoming weeks," Nieuwenhuis said after the race in Loenhout. He then seemed set to compete in the Superprestige in Diegem, but Spanish champion Felipe Orts is the only Ridley rider who will actually start in tonight’s cyclocross race.
Nieuwenhuis is certainly not the only top rider skipping Diegem: world champion Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Laurens Sweeck (whose season ended after a crash in Loenhout), Emiel Verstrynge, Lars van der Haar, and Pim Ronhaar (due to back problems) will also be absent.
