Preview: X2O Trophy Koppenbergcross 2023 – Who will go into the European Championships feeling extra good?

Zeiger Shekin •
Monday, October 30, 2023 at 12:30 pm

On Wednesday, it’s that time again, Koppenbergros. One of the most iconic races of the cyclocross season. On each course, riders have to climb the Koppenberg, which provides a spectacular sight every year. We are looking for successors to Wim van Empel and Lars van der Haar. Cycling Looking forward.

date

The last ten winners Koppenberg cross
men
2022: Lars van der Haar
2021: Elie Esserbet
2020: Elie Esserbet
2019: Elie Esserbet
2018: ton aerts
2017: Matthew van der Poel
2016: Woot Fan Art
2015: Woot Fan Art
2014: Woot Fan Art
2013: Tom Meussin

slim
2022: Wim van Empel
2021: Clara Hunsinger
2020: Anne Marie is worse
2019: Yara Castelin
2018: Kim van de Steen
2017: Helen Wyman
2016: Julian Verschueren
2015: Julian Verschueren
2014: Sophie de Boer
2013: Helen Wyman

last year

Men’s result – Koppenbergcross in Odinardi
1. Lars van der Haar (Balloise Trek Lions) with a time of 1 hour, 3 minutes and 30 seconds
2. Elie Izerbit (Pauls Sosin-Bingol) in the fifth minute
3. Michael Vanthornhout (Pauls Sosin-Bingol) is 11th
4. Jens Adams (Chocofit Bicycles) at 34 years old
5. Pim Runhaar (Balwise Trek Lions) with a time of 1m1s

Women’s result – Koppenbergcross in Odinardi
1. Wim van Empel (Pauls Sosin-Bingol) at 45m 19s
2. Denis Betsema (Pauls Süsin Bingöl) at 52 seconds
3. Shirin van Anerweg (Balloise Trek Lions) with 1 minute and 14 seconds
4. Clara Hunsinger (Cannondale Cyclocrossworld) in 2m4s
5. Mary Schreiber (Tormans CX) at 2m44s

Effect

The circuit in Milden was last completely modified in 2016. Since the meadow on the left side of the Koppenberg could no longer be used (financial issue), a new route was drawn on the right side of the slope. Also new was access to the top of the slope, rather than to the flat ground below.

This year a small modification has been made. The long loop (bottom left of the map) has been removed and instead more emphasis is placed on the cliffs. In principle, they will be a little more technical than last year.

The start takes place at the foot of the Koppenberg and only after the first pass after the finish, the riders dive into the field on the right and – after the first pass through the double equipment column – climb slightly to the top (bottom right).pictured.

Then the descent begins, and of course it stops several times. Just like in previous editions, Koppenberg himself will once again be the executioner. A nice summary of the course is provided on the Koppenbergcross website. “Difficult inclines and spectacular descents follow each other in quick succession, with a little recovery here and there.”

“Clear to the fans and a guarantee of an impressive match. The masterpiece of the revamped Koppenbergcross is of course the cobblestone climb towards the finish, up the steepest section of the infamous Bult van Melden.

Program and information

The program is Wednesday, November 1, 2023
10.40 am: Junior category
11.50 am: Elite group of women and youth
2pm: Elite men
3.20pm: Men’s promises

location
Rotelenberg, Milden-Oudenaarde

general information
Tickets cost 15 euros in advance. Children under 12 years old can enter for free.

Practical information
Site organization
List of participants for men
List of women participants

Favorite men

Last year’s winner, Lars van der Haar, making Koppenbergcross a goal again this season. At the beginning of the season, the Dutchman from Baloise Trek Lions said he wanted to win again. The course also suits the skills of Van der Haar, who can climb well. While other riders may already be busy with the European Championships, the Dutch champion will be more than ready. Van der Haar showed his good form again in Maasmechelen.

Elie Esserbet He is one of those riders who are probably already thinking more about Pontchâteau. It’s great that Iserbyt is first, because even that hasn’t happened for a while. The West Flemish man sat at the table with the X2O cup for too long about the contract. This contract was signed at the end of last week. The Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal rider sees the Koppenbergcross as a semi-local race, so he will remain motivated. “For me, it’s a small championship. I really enjoy driving there,” Iserbyt recorded for our camera. He has already won three times.

Van der Haar (right) in conflict with Iserbit on the Melden Promontory – Image: Cor Vos

together with Michael Vanthornhout Iserbyt will be able to play a team game. They also tried to do it last year, but Van der Haar was simply too strong. Vanthourenhout still faces some difficulties in the new cyclo-cross season. It seems that he finally succeeded in reaching Ruddervoorde, but at Maasmechelen it was not successful again. Vanthornhout stepped down.

Tibau Nice Of course the season started well. Nice got some rest last weekend by clearing a cross on Saturday. On Sunday he looked to be on his way to third place in the Maasmechelen, but a late fall disrupted the action. The cross in Oudenaarde suits him, because last year we saw the young rider from Baloise Trek Lions racing for a while. What can he do now?

Someone to look forward to is Wednesday Cameron Mason. The new leader of the Cyclocross Reds team scored well on Overijse, his first cross of the season. He was also good at Ruddervoorde (where he didn’t get a good result due to a puncture) and Maasmechelen. The British champion will have a specially designed training course in Koppenberg. Mason will be able to show his abilities there.

Nice on the Coppenburg – Photo: Cor Vos

also Pim ronhar It will take effect on Wednesday. Ronhaar can show off his big motor just like Mason. There are a number of other youngsters we can expect something from Ton VandeboschJoran Wissiur and Wits Mosen, All three are active in Crelan-Corendon. Wyseure was on course to win the Koppenbergcross title among last year’s promises, but was overtaken at the limit by Victor van de Put. What about Lander Lux? Is he fit again? Finally, we can also expect a good performance from Jens Adams, who often does well in the Koppenberg.

Favorites according to WielerFlits
***Eli Iserbit
** Lars van der Haar, Thibaut Ness
* Michael Vanthornhout, Pim Ronhaar, Cameron Mason

List of participants for men

Favorite women

Wim van Empel There will also be another one on Wednesday. The world champion has had a strong start to the season and doesn’t look like he’s going to stop at the moment. It will also be difficult on Wednesday, because the best rider always wins in the Koppenberg. Last year, the Dutchwoman excelled on Milden Hill, when she won by less than a minute over Denis Betsema.

The biggest opposition will likely come from the women Cyclocross Reds. both of them Anne Marie is worse like Anik van Alphen They are at the start of the first round of the X2O Cup. Worst, who had to recover from knee surgery last summer, is improving and appears to be a regular on the podium once again.

Van Empel dominated last year, then still wearing the Paulus Sosin-Bingol uniform – Image: Cor Vos

Her teammate Van Alphen is a regular. She has already competed in a fair number of races this season and has never missed the top five. The 24-year-old Dutch woman gained confidence in Maasmechelen and can go on the podium in Koppenberg.

What with Dennis Betsema? Will she appear again in Oudenaarde? Other names to look out for are those of Sarah Casasola (FAS Airport Services – Guerciotti), Sanne Cant (Crillan-Corindon) and Anna Kay(Cyclocross Reds). In this field, they should definitely be able to compete within the top ten.

Favorites according to WielerFlits
*** Wim van Empel
** Annemarie Wurst, Annick van Alphen
* Denise Betsema, Anna Kay, Sarah Casasola

List of women participants

Weather and TV

It could be an amazing edition of the Koppenbergcross on Wednesday. Weatheronline A 75% chance of rain is expected. There will also be high winds, 4 Beaufort, and it will be very cold. This promises!

The Koppenbergcross can of course be followed live on television. Please note that the cross is in the program early on (see Program and Information). Sporzaon VRT1Their broadcast begins at 11:50 am. The cross can also be seen across Eurosport 1 And online channels Eurosport.nl/Discovery+/GCN+ . For more information, you can always visit our Cycling on TV TV guide.