Cyclo-cross Maasmechelen

Cyclocross Maasmechelen
Race details
DateJanuary
RegionMaasmechelen,  Belgium
English nameCyclo-cross Maasmechelen
DisciplineCyclo-cross
CompetitionUCI Cyclo-cross World Cup
Typeone-day
History (men)
First edition2022 (2022)
Editions3 (as of 2025)
First winner Laurens Sweeck (BEL)
Most wins (1 win)
Most recent Mathieu van der Poel (NED)
History (women)
First edition2022 (2022)
Editions3 (as of 2025)
First winner Fem van Empel (NED)
Most wins
(2 wins)
Most recent Blanka Kata Vas (HUN)

The Cyclo-cross Maasmechelen race, sometimes called Cyclocross Maasmechelen or Wereldbeker Maasmechelen is a cyclo-cross race held in Maasmechelen, in the Province of Limburg in Belgium. The race has been held since 2022 and has been part of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup since then. The race is held in Hoge Kempen National Park on the location of the former coal mines of Eisden. The course has some steep down ramps and a longer off-camber section.

Part of the course runs alongside large mirrors belonging to the Ecotron Lab of Hasselt University.

History

[edit]

The Cyclocross Maasmechelen was first held in 2022 replacing Cyclo-cross Rupchen in the world cup program. The first edition attracted some criticism due to presence of pebbles and stone on the course, which was the result of the venue being a former mining site. [1][2]


Past winners

[edit]

Elite Men

[edit]
Season Series Winner Second Third
2024–2025 World Cup  Mathieu van der Poel (NED)  Wout van Aert (BEL)  Joris Nieuwenhuis (NED)
2023–2024 World Cup  Lars van der Haar (NED)  Eli Iserbyt (BEL)  Laurens Sweeck (BEL)
2022–2023 World Cup  Laurens Sweeck (BEL)  Lars van der Haar (NED)  Eli Iserbyt (BEL)

Elite Women

[edit]
Season Series Winner Second Third
2024–2025 World Cup  Blanka Kata Vas (HUN)  Zoe Bäckstedt (GBR)  Lucinda Brand (NED)
2023–2024 World Cup  Fem van Empel (NED)  Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (NED)  Aniek van Alphen (NED)
2022–2023 World Cup  Fem van Empel (NED)  Puck Pieterse (NED)  Shirin van Anrooij (NED)
[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Ondanks de prachtlocatie toch consternatie bij eerste editie van Wereldbeker Maasmechelen" [The first edition of Maasmechelen World Cup under criticism despite its picturesque location]. wielerflits.nl (in Dutch). 19 January 2025. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  2. ^ "Flanders Classics pakt bekritiseerd WB-parcours Maasmechelen aan: "Zal nu minder feedback komen"" [Flanders Classics modifies the criticized World Cup course: "There will be less criticism now"]. wielerflits.nl (in Dutch). 29 October 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2025.