Preview: X20 Trofee Hamme 2025 – Will Nys Get Revenge in the Flandriencross?

Course

The course of the X2O Badkamers Trofee round in Hamme is almost the same as last year. The start is still set with a view of the Miraburg, known from the iconic Flemish film ‘Mira or the Collapse of the Waterhoek’ from 1971, starring Jan Decleir and Willeke Van Amelrooy.

Just before this bridge, the cyclocrossers turn into the field, followed immediately by a technical section through Hamme’s bike park. That section has slightly changed since last year.

After several laps around the pond, the riders head toward the first passage of the pit zone. The route can generally be seen as a traditional course with sections on forest ground, barriers, and a meadow stretch between two ponds.

Then it goes to Sporthal Meulenbroek, where several spectator tents have been set up. The fans are treated to a twisty section here, causing riders to stay longer in this area. After a lap around this pond, the course sends the riders to the second passage of the pit zone, after which the route briefly crosses itself.

On the south side of the water, the riders then return to the start area at the Hamveer. There we will find the successors to Niels Vandeputte and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado.

Organization website

Favorites

Unlike the slog that we got in Merksplas, Hamme is more of a technical affair. Not pure power, but refined riding that is not for everyone. In part, we therefore look to different favorites than at the colony, namely the men who did well on Tuesday in Niel.

Even in Niel, it was sometimes a slog, but it was the more technically skilled riders who performed well there as well. That race came down to a three-way sprint between Laurens Sweeck, Niels Vandeputte, and Michael Vanthourenhout. These are therefore three riders we expect again in the top ranks.