We have already seen many cyclocross races this season, but according to team manager Jurgen Mettepenningen, the Cyclocross World Cup is on a different level altogether. This is also the view of the organizers UCI and Flanders Classics. So there is extra anticipation for the first round of the World Cup, which awaits this Sunday in Tabor, Czech Republic. WielerFlits looks ahead.
It has been a while since we’ve seen a top-level cyclocross race in Tábor. The Czech town is an absolute classic in the cyclocross world and hosted the Czech National Cyclocross Championships and the World Championships in 2024, where Mathieu van der Poel and Fem van Empel took the wins in the main categories.
The course now laid out is almost exactly the same as the one used for the 2024 Cyclocross World Championships. What may differ is that the race could be held under wintry conditions. Later this week, temperatures will drop below freezing and there is a chance of snow. The chance of wintry precipitation is around ten to twenty percent daily. We don’t expect heavy snowfall, but a light dusting on the course cannot be ruled out.
The course is often quite technical and fast, but especially in the grassy meadow to the east, it can get really tough if there’s some thawing. This section of the 2.95-kilometer lap also contains most of the elevation gain.
Just like in previous World Cup rounds in Tábor and the 2024 Worlds, the barriers will be a key feature. Traditionally, the barriers are placed on an uphill stretch, but that’s not the main challenge. The 40-centimeter height makes jumping over them very difficult. It will be interesting to see which daredevils will attempt them.
It’s always interesting to see how the start of the World Cup shifts the balance of power. In the elite men's field, these dynamics have been changing all cyclocross season, but in the most recent big event in Hamme, Thibau Nys demonstrated that in theory he has the biggest engine. The Belgian champion rode a tactically and physically perfect race in Hamme and is heading to Tabor with great confidence.
After that last race, Nys spoke about his quest to find his best form and finally be less inconsistent. His father Sven Nys on the other hand felt the young talent was too hard on himself. Nys will not contest the entire World Cup, so the overall classification is not his main goal. However, the top talent wants to collect as many wins as possible, starting with this one.
Nieuwenhuis thrives in snowy conditions - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
If we get snowy conditions, you can be sure that Joris Nieuwenhuis will be competing for the podium. The burly Dutchman proved this with his first World Cup victory in the snow at Val di Sole, Italy — a surface where he feels completely at home. But in recent races, Nieuwenhuis has also shown that when he’s on form and avoids major bad luck, he can hold his own against the best.
Niels Vandeputte also made an impression on that Italian course when he first burst onto the professional scene and has consistently contended for podium places. Vandeputte is among the few riders — alongside Nys — who might dare to jump the barriers in Tábor. He relies mainly on his technical skills. The same can be said for Michael Vanthourenhout, who always shines in Tábor and took bronze at the Worlds.
Also keep an eye on Lars van der Haar, who won the last World Cup round in the Czech city in 2022. In Hamme, van der Haar narrowly missed the podium, so his form is far from poor. And who knows, Laurens Sweeck, Felipe Orts, Jente Michels, Toon Aerts (who was ill), and Kevin Kuhn might also exceed expectations.
Women
In the women's category, we are still waiting for Fem van Empel (who is out indefinitely), Puck Pieterse (who announced last week that she will not start her season until the World Cup in Namur on December 14), and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, but with Shirin van Anrooij we get a new big name on the start list.
Due to a narrowed pelvic artery, the Dutch all-rounder had surgery in autumn 2024 and did not race at all last winter. The winter before that, she was also limited by circumstances, so we have to go back to early 2023 for the best Van Anrooij in cyclocross. At that time, she won the U23 World Championships and several World Cups. It’s uncertain how fit she is now, but her much-discussed ride at the Gravel World Championships bodes well.
We finally see Shirin van Anrooij back in cyclocross - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
Lucinda Brand will likely stand out. Wherever the Dutchwoman starts, you can count on her to perform. She has already announced she will not contest the entire World Cup, as she wants to take breaks before the championships. But that doesn’t change the fact that the race, with many long straight sections, suits the Dutch rider. If she finishes in the top three, as expected, it will be her 51st consecutive podium — an incredible stat that gets more impressive week by week.
The Dutch women will mainly battle it out amongst themselves, as two young talents, Aniek van Alphen and Leonie Bentveld, are eager to challenge Brand. Van Alphen has done so a few times already, coming very close to the podium. Inge van der Heijden beat the 36-year-old at the European Championships in Middelkerke and is eagerly hoping for her first win in her new colors.
Lastly, looking at the other nations, Marie Schreiber is also eager. The young Luxembourger met with so much bad luck in her first race of the season in Hamme that she crossed the finish line walking, but she was still mentally in the race. Also, it remains to be seen how Sara Casasola returns after illness, and don’t underestimate the French runners — led by the very young Koppenberg revelation Celia Gery, French champion Amandine Fouquenet, and Hélène Clauzel.
Freezing temperatures will be central to this race. Temperatures will not rise above -3 degrees Celsius in the days before the race or on race day itself, which will definitely take some getting used to. Although there is a slight chance of snow, the cold is expected to be the main factor.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2025 |  Thibau Nys |
| 2022 | Eli Iserbyt |
| 2021 |  Lars van der Haar |
| 2020 | Michael Vanthourenhout |
| 2019 | Mathieu van der Poel |
| 2018 | Mathieu van der Poel |
| 2016 |  Michael Boroš |
| 2015 | David van der Poel |
| 2013 | Lars van der Haar |
| 2012 | Kevin Pauwels |
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Lucinda Brand |
| 2022 | Fem van Empel |
| 2021 | Lucinda Brand |
| 2020 | Lucinda Brand |
| 2019 | Annemarie Worst |
| 2018 | Lucinda Brand |
| 2016 | Karla Stepanova |
| 2015 | Pavla Havlikova |
| 2013 |  Katherine Compton |
| 2012 | Sanne van Paassen |
UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships Tabor| Rank | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 58:14 | |
| 2 | + 37 | |
| 3 | + 01:06 | |
| 4 | + 01:36 | |
| 5 | + 02:08 | |
| 6 | + 02:21 | |
| 7 | + 02:29 | |
| 8 | + 02:35 | |
| 9 | + 02:44 | |
| 10 | + 02:48 |
UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships Tabor| Rank | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 46:19 | |
| 2 | + 01:20 | |
| 3 | + 01:54 | |
| 4 | + 02:37 | |
| 5 | + 02:52 | |
| 6 | + 02:59 | |
| 7 | + 03:40 | |
| 8 | + 03:45 | |
| 9 | + 03:49 | |
| 10 | + 03:52 |
| # | Rider | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11.86% | |
| 2 | 10.85% | |
| 3 | 8.53% | |
| 4 | 7.68% | |
| 5 | 6.38% | |
| 6 | 6.31% | |
| 7 | 5.90% | |
| 8 | 5.80% | |
| 9 | 5.26% | |
| 10 | 4.65% |
| # | Rider | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70.05% | |
| 2 | 8.68% | |
| 3 | 4.63% | |
| 4 | 4.07% | |
| 5 | 2.71% | |
| 6 | 1.78% | |
| 7 | 1.65% | |
| 8 | 0.85% | |
| 9 | 0.79% | |
| 10 | 0.61% |
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup - Tabor
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup - Tabor
