The fever began last year and, instead of cooling, the momentum around cyclocross kept building. In the mix were Wout van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel, and Tom Pidcock, whose participation turned races into celebrations that fed the audience’s warmth and energy. Spectators—hands clasped in anticipation—waited for the Belgian and Dutch champions to clinch the title, with big moments expected in July as the season’s climax approached.
Fresh dates, photos, and footage emerged on Wednesday afternoon from Diegem’s Super Prestige, set in the heart of Flanders—the home base for cyclocross enthusiasts. The appeal isn’t just what unfolds between the logs, the sand, and the staircases that form the sport’s demanding barriers; it also lies in the thousands who trembled with every pedal stroke, especially when Van Aert seized victory anywhere and on any terrain. Whether he pressed a Tour de France rival on muddy pedals, sprinted through France’s time trials, or conquered Hautacam’s brutal grades, he earned the nickname the sport’s wild card, alongside Van der Poel and the ambitious Pidcock. [citation: Tatiana Rodríguez, 2022]
Fans were urged to watch the highlights. #superprestige #CXDiegem @WoutvanAert @tompidcock [citation]
Van Aert has contested six cyclocross events so far, winning four and placing second in the other two. Van der Poel’s record shows eight starts with three wins, while Pidcock ran eleven races with two victories. The trio was set to reunite on Sunday, January 22, for a major showdown in Benidorm, a locale noted for its white-sand beaches and a return after more than a decade since a World Cup event was last held in Spain. Nico van Looy, a spokesperson for the organizing committee, explained that the event’s Spain debut after so long marks a significant milestone for the sport. [citation: Nico van Looy, event organizer]
A ambient note from the Diegem Cross scene appeared online, with fans sharing clips of their mechanical misadventures and the day’s memorable moments. The social chatter captured the sport’s community—punctuated by humor, camaraderie, and a shared love for the mud. [citation: DiegemCross community posts]
For Alicante, the upcoming circuit promised a formidable test featuring three of the sport’s top stars, all of whom push themselves beyond the mud. The lineup included Pidcock, the cyclocross world champion and Olympic mountain bike champion, who joined other elite riders in a race expected to honor the discipline’s depth and resilience. They rely on one another in competition even as they push each other to new heights, a dynamic that has defined the sport’s most gripping rivalries. The event would also recognize the enduring contributions of Pidcock, whose diverse accomplishments—the Alpe d’Huez victory and a current status as a high-profile rider—added layers to the narrative. [citation]
Organizers highlighted that the course layout would be highly technical this week, featuring sand, stairs, and planks. The route promised a challenging entrance led by Dutch star Marianne Vos, who remains a world champion in her specialization and a perennial source of energy for the Tour Femmes. Her leadership culminated in a green-jersey campaign on the men’s side in prior years, reflecting the broader impact of the sport. Eurosport and Teledeporte were slated to carry the race live, with the event coming two weeks ahead of the 2023 Cyclocross World Championships in Hoogerheide, the Netherlands. [citation: event coverage]
The fever around the sport did not ease. The Diegem spectacle drew attention not only to Van Aert’s four wins and two runner-ups across six races but also to the broader narrative of a sport that thrives on intense competition and community support. Van der Poel and Pidcock matched the pace, delivering performances that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. The circle would reconvene on a crisp Sunday in Benidorm, a reminder that cyclocross weekends are as much about storytelling as they are about results. [citation: race summaries]
In Alicante, expectations rose for three standout riders who consistently push the boundaries of endurance and skill. Their rivalry is tempered with a mutual respect that makes the contests even more compelling. Pidcock’s status as a world champion and Olympic mountain bike holder, along with his recent exploits at other classics, underscores the event’s significance within the season’s arc. The group’s presence raised anticipation that the race would deliver memorable moments that echo across the sport. [citation: rider bios]
Finally, organizers stressed the complexity of the circuit to be set this week, a demanding mix of sand, stairs, and planks that would test both the men and the women’s fields. The route’s grand entrance, directed by Marianne Vos, stood as a nod to the sport’s deep talent pool and her role as one of cycling’s most influential figures. With live coverage from major broadcasters and a calendar that bookended a season of epic battles, the Diegem and Alicante events reaffirmed cyclocross as a sport where technique, grit, and team spirit converge in the mud. [citation: course notes]