This event is probably the most accessible for any viewers in the UK with less travelling and more predictable weather. Not that English weather is predictable unless you call rain or dull grey and cold.
Last year was the second edition of the race and it was won by the Dutch rider Pim Ronhaar with a gap of two seconds to the runner up Laurens Sweeck. The first edition was won by Wout Van Aert with a gap of 14 seconds to the runner up who was again Laurens Sweeck. The women's races were won by Fem Van Empel in the first edition and then in the second it was Lucinda Brand.
This weekend Laurens Sweeck is back to try and finally better his second place and win the race, it wont be easy with last weekends winner Eli Iserbyt coming to get himself yet another win alongside the rest of the Belgian squad. Not that the riders work together outside of constant attacking of each other but the chances of the country producing the winner are significantly bigger with the Dutch only having 4 riders, the same as the US who are seen as outsiders compared to the others all of whom are coming from countries in Europe.
The home nation themselves are turning up with 5 riders with the UK having only 1 showing that they may have their sights set on other races in the calendar. the total number of riders is 41 less than the race in Antwerp.
The Women elite start list has significantly more riders with 51 split across 11 nations. The Dutch with 10 riders including Fem Van Empel hunting another win. Belgium bringing 9 offering the Dutch more competition showing normal cyclocross fashion. the two have been significant in the history of the sport and a current example of a rivalry between the two nations is Wout Van Aert and Matthieu Van Der Poel who have been rivals for longer than any of us would have thought possible.
The home nation this time have 7 riders with the UK sending 8 showing just how different the two races are, the junior races offer even more differences and show how diverse the sport is. the start list for the Women Junior race had riders from Norway with two representatives and the US with more representatives than in other races.
Overall the races should be good to watch and there is a possibility for more drama and unexpected outcomes or maybe they are expected if you know the riders inside and out .
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