After the recent displays by Mathieu van der Poel, we expect a completely different race dynamic on Tuesday. The world champion will not be present in Heusden-Zolder, which opens opportunities for Thibau Nys and... Wout van Aert! Will the Visma | Lease a Bike rider secure the first win of his cyclocross campaign? WielerFlits takes a look ahead.
The entire course is located within the walls of the Circuit of Terlaemen. The circuit in Heusden-Zolder offers everything a modern top-level cyclocross needs. Marc Dierickx originally designed the course, but he is no longer involved in the organization. However, this has not led to changes in the race. The course has remained exactly the same for several years.
Under the motto ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,’ we again see a circuit of just over 2.7 kilometers this year. In Zolder, we traditionally get a high-speed race, not least because of the long start and finish straight on the asphalt of the Formula 1 circuit.
The cyclocross course in Zolder can be further divided into two halves. The first part is not very technical and fairly flat, with sections passing through the equipment zones and over the Sacramentsberg. Don’t expect the latter climb to be a brutal calf burner where big differences are made, but it is a piece of ‘holy ground’ forbidden to spectators.
The second part is characterized mainly by the small climbs and technical descents before the grandstands, where the race has often been decided in the past. Especially the sequence of many obstacles in the last kilometer allows technically skilled riders to force something before starting again on the long sections on asphalt.
With Mathieu van der Poel at the start, you can almost predict what will happen, but when the world champion is absent in a race, it can turn into a very unpredictable affair. Based on his intrinsic class, skill, and past cyclocross performances, Wout van Aert should be named the big favorite for the victory.
Wout van Aert - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
The question is whether Van Aert already has enough cyclocross rhythm and hardness to simply take on the full-time cyclocross specialists. The Heusden-Zolder course is - especially compared to the sand race in Koksijde or the climbing classic in Gavere - quite technical and fast. For a rider like Van Aert, it is therefore harder to make the difference, particularly versus some competitors.
First and foremost, we think of Thibau Nys, who faces a course in Zolder that perfectly suits him. Who was crowned Belgian champion impressively earlier this year in Heusden-Zolder? Exactly, the rider who has already shown some fine displays this cyclocross season. Nys will undoubtedly start with confidence and a healthy dose of ambition, ready to make life difficult for Van Aert and – why not – beat him.
The organization of the cross in Heusden-Zolder has no reason to complain, as Tibor Del Grosso, Michael Vanthourenhout, Joris Nieuwenhuis, and Laurens Sweeck also add top-quality presence. Based on recent races, Del Grosso, Sweeck, and Nieuwenhuis certainly qualify for at least a podium spot. Like Niels Vandeputte, who has also been in excellent form over the past weeks.
Furthermore, we definitely note the names of Pim Ronhaar, Spanish champion Felipe Orts, Jente Michels, British champion Cameron Mason, Joran Wyseure, Mees Hendrikx, and Gerben Kuypers.
And if you look further down the start list, you’ll find the name Léo Bisiaux. The French top talent is focusing more on the road these days, but we’ll see him back on the cyclocross bike on Tuesday. We are curious to see what the former junior world champion (Hoogerheide 2023) can achieve in this field.
During the busy holiday period, even full-time cyclocross riders have to make choices nowadays, so not all top contenders start at the Superprestige in Heusden-Zolder. For example, the almost unbeatable Lucinda Brand this season is not on the start list, and you won’t find her compatriots Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, Puck Pieterse, and Shirin van Anrooij either — unsurprisingly the riders who have been dominating the recent races.
But fortunately, the organization can count on the presence of this season’s revelation Aniek van Alphen. The 26-year-old Dutchwoman is undoubtedly having the best season of her career. The leader of Seven Racing has already won the World Cup race in Flamanville, but what stands out most is that she competes for the podium in almost every race. That’s quite impressive given the level of competition.
Another Dutch rider, Inge van der Heijden, is also having an excellent cyclocross winter. The Crelan-Corendon rider had her (so far) glorious day in Middelkerke, where she impressively took the European title.
Since then, she has recorded ‘only’ one win at the Exact Cross in Kortrijk, but Van der Heijden hardly ever disappoints. She is a guarantee for a top-8 finish, often with an upward spike. Can she really compete for victory again in a stage race like Heusden-Zolder?
With most Dutch top riders absent, foreign cyclocross riders smell their chance. We first think of Sara Casasola, although the Italian did give up very early in the World Cup of Koksijde. Or maybe this is the moment for French champion Amandine Fouquenet to experience her moment de gloire. The French champion is still searching for a new contract starting January 1, 2026, in just over a week.
Belgian cyclocross fans will hope for a standout performance from the strong but also inconsistent Marion Norbert Riberolle, Julie Brouwers, and the young Fleur Moors, while it’s also worth watching Luxembourg’s Marie Schreiber (will she reach form again this winter?), Hélène Clauzel, the unpredictable Jolanda Neff, and... Blanka Vas! The Hungarian returns to the field after a training period.
The riders can expect a fairly pleasant and mild winter day on Tuesday. It will remain mostly dry throughout the day, the sun will have occasional opportunities to break through, and temperatures will rise to around six degrees Celsius in the afternoon.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2025 |  Tibor Del Grosso |
| 2023 |  Wout van Aert |
| 2022 | Wout van Aert |
| 2021 | Wout van Aert |
| 2020 | Mathieu van der Poel |
| 2019 | Mathieu van der Poel |
| 2018 | Mathieu van der Poel |
| 2017 | Mathieu van der Poel |
| 2016 | Wout van Aert |
| 2015 | Mathieu van der Poel |
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2025 |  Amandine Fouquenet |
| 2023 | Fem van Empel |
| 2022 | Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado |
| 2021 | Lucinda Brand |
| 2020 | Lucinda Brand |
| 2019 | Lucinda Brand |
| 2018 | Marianne Vos |
| 2017 | Sanne Cant |
| 2016 | Marianne Vos |
| 2015 | Sanne Cant |
Belgian National Championships CX| Rank | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 01:03:05 | |
| 2 | + 09 | |
| 3 | + 11 | |
| 4 | + 14 | |
| 5 | + 39 | |
| 6 | + 48 | |
| 7 | + 01:15 | |
| 8 | + 01:32 | |
| 9 | + 01:41 | |
| 10 | + 01:43 |
Belgian National Championships CX| Rank | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 53:18 | |
| 2 | + 45 | |
| 3 | + 01:07 | |
| 4 | + 01:29 | |
| 5 | + 01:51 | |
| 6 | + 03:07 | |
| 7 | + 03:13 | |
| 8 | + 03:53 | |
| 9 | " | |
| 10 | + 04:31 |
Tibor Del Grosso - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
| # | Rider | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25.70% | |
| 2 | 15.53% | |
| 3 | 11.79% | |
| 4 | 6.69% | |
| 5 | 6.25% |
Aniek van Alphen - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
Marion Norbert Riberolle - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
| # | Rider | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27.52% | |
| 2 | 25.95% | |
| 3 | 18.60% | |
| 4 | 8.25% | |
| 5 | 4.57% |
Telenet Superprestige Heusden-Zolder
