Highlights at the turn of the year: Here are the three cross-country giants at the start

Thomas Goldmann

· 27.12.2023

Highlights at the turn of the year: here are the three cross-country giants at the start

Photo: DPA Picture Alliance

Four meetings between Tom Pidcock (front), Mathieu van der Poel (2nd position) and Wout van Aert are planned around the turn of the year

Many people put their feet up around Christmas and the turn of the year, but not cyclocross riders - it's high season for them. Numerous cyclocross highlights await with the participation of superstars Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert and Tom Pidcock.

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Professional sport does not rest between Christmas and New Year. The Four Hills Tournament kicks off in ski jumping, the World Darts Championships captivates fans and football is played in the Premier League on Boxing Day. And in cycling? There's the so-called "Kerstperiode" - Dutch for Christmas period. This refers to the time when a particularly large number of cyclocross races take place, especially in Belgium. Around the turn of the year, the best cyclocross riders in the world will once again be competing on the muddy tracks of Belgium and the Netherlands. We have put together an overview.

The most important cyclocross races at the turn of the year 2023/24

Saturday, 23 December: World Cup Antwerp
Tuesday, 26 December: World Cup Gavere
Wednesday, 27 December: Superprestige Heusden-Zolder
Thursday, 28 December: Superprestige Diegem
Friday, 29 December: Exact Cross Loenhout - Azencross
Saturday, 30 December: World Cup Hulst
Monday, 1 January: X20 Trofee Baal - GP Sven Nys
Thursday, 4 January: X20 Trofee Koksijde - Vlaamse Duinencross
Saturday, 6 January: Hexia Cyclocross Gullegem
Sunday, 7 January: World Cup Zonhoven

Where will van der Poel, van Aert and Pidcock start?

The cyclocross races are particularly focussed on Mathieu van der Poelhis great rival Wout van Aert and Tom Pidcock - the three so-called all-rounders in cycling. Four clashes between the cyclocross giants are planned around the turn of the year.

Saturday, 23 December: World Cup Antwerp
Tuesday, 26 December: World Cup Gavere
Saturday, 30 December: World Cup Hulst
Thursday, 4 January: X20 Trofee Koksijde - Vlaamse Duinencross

TV broadcast & live stream: Where can I watch cyclocross races?

The end of GCN+ has made a lot of headlines. However, cyclocross fans in Germany need not worry. Discovery+ shows numerous cross-country competitions in the fee-based Live stream. TV broadcasts are also available for some events in the Free TV with Eurosport 1 planned.

It usually starts with the women's races, in which top riders such as the reigning cyclocross world champion Fem van Empel, Shirin van Anrooij and Puck Pieterse compete. The men's races follow afterwards.

Previously known TV broadcast times for cyclocross races at the turn of the year 2023/24

Saturday, 23 December: World Cup Antwerp | from 13:30 Eurosport 1
Tuesday, 26 December: World Cup Gavere | from 13:30 Eurosport 1
Wednesday, 27 December: Superprestige Heusden-Zolder | from 13:35 & 15:05 Eurosport 1
Thursday, 28 December: Superprestige Diegem | from 18:55 Eurosport 2
Friday, 29 December: Exact Cross Loenhout - Azencross | from 13:40 Eurosport 2
Saturday, 30 December: World Cup Hulst | from 13:30 Eurosport 2
Thursday, 4 January: X20 Trofee Koksijde - Vlaamse Duinencross | from 14:55 Eurosport 2

If you want to get on a cross bike yourself, you can familiarise yourself here with the most important Cyclocross tips for beginners prepare for it.

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