A notable name on the start list of the Superprestige cyclocross in Merksplas on Saturday: Lander Loockx is making his return to the field representing the Unibet Rose Rockets.
The Flemish-Brabant native returns to competition after having to prematurely end his road season in early September. During that period, he pushed his limits even more than a year ago. Loockx came close to stage wins in smaller stage races like the Tour of Turkey and Région Pays de la Loire Tour, but his biggest achievement was scoring his first pro victory in the French one-day race Paris-Camembert. That win earned Loockx his weight in cheese.
However, while spring went smoothly, summer brought plenty of bad luck. During the Arctic Race of Norway, he broke his collarbone. Loockx then started rebuilding towards the final races but subsequently suffered an unfortunate training accident. He broke a cervical vertebra and had to keep the bike aside for about six weeks.
Now Loockx is returning to his first passion, cyclocross. Something he also did last season, by the way. Back then, the rider from Leuven contested 17 cyclocross races, with his last being the Superprestige in Gullegem on February 4th. This time, Loockx aims to keep racing cyclocross up to and including the Belgian Championship in Beringen.
Lander LoockxNo races scheduled
