


A cyclocross without Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert: it is a rarity during the busy Christmas and New Year period, but the evening race in Diegem must do without the two crowd pullers. This is a blow in many ways, but it might actually benefit the excitement. WielerFlits looks ahead.
The course in Diegem has not changed compared to the previous edition. Characteristic are the sloped sections alongside the football field. These can become very slippery quickly, which requires the riders’ technical skills to really come through.
Then there is also the Regimentsberg, which has to be tackled every lap. On a bad day as a cyclocrosser, you might be tempted to park there. Besides these two typical sections, there are several technical parts – including a short passage through sand – in Flemish-Brabant’s Diegem. With 1013 meters of asphalt, you can also put your power to good use.

Last year, the organisers decided to implement a small change. “At the place where the small beams used to be, there is now a bridge for the safety of spectators. The public can pass underneath,” organizer Francis Bosschaerts told us at the time. “That was a problem before. Now, the beams are in line with the Regimentsberg, where the zigzag used to be. But this won’t change the race dynamics.”
Mathieu van der Poel in the Diegem evening cyclocross - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
For over two decades, the Superprestige in Diegem has been one of the classics in cyclocross. Not due to a brutally tough course like the Koppenberg, Namur, Koksijde, or Zonhoven, but because of its unique character. It is the only Belgian cyclocross held in the evening, and that pays off. For years, the evening race has been by far the best-attended cyclocross of the season. Some editions saw over 15,000 spectators.
Diegem organized its first evening cyclocross in 2000 at the request of outgoing mayor Roger De Wulf. “A stunt, to celebrate the new mayor,” organizer Francis Bosschaerts told WielerFlits a few years ago.
“Back then, we lit the course with 55 light balloons. A few years later, when broadcaster VT4 covered cyclocross, we definitively switched to evening racing. With even better lighting, tailored for TV coverage. Meanwhile, it has become our trademark.”
In presale, tickets for the Superprestige Diegem cost €16.50. On the race day at the box office, tickets cost €18.50. Children born after 2013 enter for free.
Men
For the second year in a row, the Superprestige race in Diegem must do without Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel. Aside from Gullegem, it is—even with its long tradition—actually the only stage race between mid-December and mid-January that does not feature these two great rivals at the start. Organizer Francis Bosschaerts is heartbroken.
“It’s already the second year in a row that they don’t come,” the organizer reacts. “I really thought Wout would come this time, but apparently he never races three days in a row. That’s a huge disappointment, I can’t say it any differently.” The reason is a mystery. According to Bosschaerts, it definitely is not a financial issue. “But no offer was made. That’s very unfortunate.”
For any race organizer, it is always a bitter pill if Van der Poel and/or Van Aert do not start—they bring lots of people, after all—but it should not spoil the fun. In fact, last year taught us that a cyclocross without the ‘Big Two’ is often even more unpredictable. The Diegem evening race was only decided in the final meters after a nail-biting thriller.
That promises well for next Tuesday—or is it a golden opportunity for Thibau Nys to dominate again? The Belgian champion certainly has the class and skills to lead in the absence of Van der Poel and Van Aert, but he alternates very good days—as in Namur and Gavere—with races where he struggles with his back. Which Nys will we see in Diegem? The course—with many short climbs, sharp turns, and obstacles—should suit him perfectly.
But first, Nys will have to settle for another Dutchman. Van der Poel may be absent from Diegem, but with Tibor Del Grosso at the start, his successor will be present. At Heusden-Zolder, the Dutch champion took his first international cross win, which surely will give him a boost for the remaining races. The ‘coming man’ from Alpecin-Deceuninck faces a course in Diegem that perfectly matches his combination of power, technique, and explosiveness.
Tibor Del Grosso already won in Heusden-Zolder - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
Nys was already a prominent contender for the win in Diegem last year but had to yield in a thrilling finale to Niels Vandeputte and winner Laurens Sweeck. Both Belgians will also be present on Tuesday and certainly count among the favorites. Vandeputte has been a frequent contender for podium spots in recent weeks, and Sweeck is in excellent form. The leader of Crelan-Corendon is currently the World Cup leader, which says a lot about his consistency in 2025.
Other names we definitely note are Michael Vanthourenhout, European champion Toon Aerts, Lars van der Haar, Joran Wyseure, Emiel Verstrynge, Cameron Mason, and Mees Hendrikx. Joris Nieuwenhuis is normally also a rider to watch but is currently struggling with the consequences of a crash in the Antwerp World Cup. He has put his cyclocross season on pause for now.
According to Bosschaerts, pre-sales for December 30 are going as expected. “We expect to reach about the same numbers as last year,” says the organizer, mainly focusing on the riders who do start.
“We have Thibau Nys, the local man, and Tibor Del Grosso. That’s our focus. Last year we had the most exciting race of the Christmas period. I was also at Mol, where Mathieu went solo early. There people went home two laps before the finish.”
Women
For the men, it is in vain to hope for fireworks from Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert, but in the women’s race, we also likely should not expect yet another solo victory by Lucinda Brand. The big favorite of Baloise Glowi Lions rarely lets a race slip, but she is not competing in all Superprestige rounds this season.
During the very busy end-of-year period, even the seemingly tireless Brand has to make choices, and since she leads both the World Cup and the X2O Badkamers Trofee, the choice seems obvious—though the final start list is still awaited.
One rider who will definitely make it to Diegem is Puck Pieterse. The Dutch champion is still waiting for her first win of the cyclocross season and—without the presence of the reigning queen Brand—has a perfect chance to score.
Puck Pieterse cherishes great memories of Diegem - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
But the competition will not easily accept yet another triumph (after earlier wins in 2022 and 2023) by Pieterse in Diegem. We can also certainly expect a lot from Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, who has stood on the podium in the last four editions but always had to bow to Brand or Pieterse. The rider from Fenix-Deceuninck is currently experiencing a season of ups and downs but has also shown impressive moments in recent races.
After her victory in Heusden-Zolder, the French cyclocross revelation Amandine Fouquenet will start Diegem full of confidence. A new top performance at the highest level could probably earn her a new contract. Based on recent races, we also put forward Blanka Vas. The Hungarian had a very tough start to her cyclocross season but is quickly growing towards her very best level.
In Diegem, we’re not only looking forward to the fight for the day win; the provisional Superprestige standings are also extremely close. With Aniek van Alphen and Inge van der Heijden, two Dutch riders lead, while the aforementioned Fouquenet follows by just one point. Who will seize the best deals in the evening light? Also watch for Shirin van Anrooij, Leonie Bentveld, Marion Norbert Riberolle, Sara Casasola, and Denise Betsema.
After a dry week, the weather on race day in Diegem is expected to stay dry. Temperatures will rise to a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius, so it will feel quite cold, especially with a northeast wind.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2024 | |
| 2023 | |
| 2022 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2015 | |
| 2014 | |
| 2013 |
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2024 | |
| 2023 | |
| 2022 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2015 | |
| 2014 | |
| 2013 |
| Rank | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 57:08 | |
| 2 | + 02 | |
| 3 | + 07 | |
| 4 | + 13 | |
| 5 | + 15 | |
| 6 | + 18 | |
| 7 | + 29 | |
| 8 | + 37 | |
| 9 | + 54 | |
| 10 | + 01:23 |
| Rank | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 48:16 | |
| 2 | + 29 | |
| 3 | + 01:04 | |
| 4 | + 02:11 | |
| 5 | + 02:37 | |
| 6 | + 02:54 | |
| 7 | + 03:12 | |
| 8 | + 03:30 | |
| 9 | + 04:06 | |
| 10 | + 04:16 |

Will Thibau Nys make it happen in Diegem? - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
| # | Rider | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13.47% | |
| 2 | 13.21% | |
| 3 | 10.63% | |
| 4 | 9.51% | |
| 5 | 8.60% |
| # | Rider | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 36.97% | |
| 2 | 14.48% | |
| 3 | 14.08% | |
| 4 | 11.69% | |
| 5 | 6.41% |



