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The top cyclocross racers to keep an eye on in 2017-2018

The World Cup starts on American soil with Jingle Cross Iowa City and the Waterloo World Cup

September 16, 2017
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The World Cup cyclocross season gets underway on Sunday with Jingle Cross Iowa City kicking things off in the United States. The second round then goes off a week later in Waterloo, Wisconsin on the doorstep of Trek’s headquarters.

As the road season winds down, it’s time to familiarize yourself with the names of those to watch out for in the first two rounds of the World Cup and throughout the 2017/2018 season.

Elite men

The main protagonists of elite men’s cyclocross for the past three seasons have been youngsters Wout van Aert (Vérandas Willems–Crelan) and Mathieu van der Poel (Beobank–Corendon). There is no reason to think that will change in 2017/2018 as they return to a full cyclocross season following successful forays into pro road racing. The pair enter every race and every series as favourites. It’s hard to distinguish who has the edge in this head-to-head match up. Even on the road, the two are neck-in-neck both showing blossoming talent.

For the past two season Van Aert has taken more high profile victories. Van Aert, at 23-years-old, is the current defending world champion winning the title in 2016 with his arch rival sidelined and early in 2017 when van der Poel was slowed by punctures. The Belgian is also the two-time and defending World Cup champion.

Van der Poel has had a more turbulent two seasons since winning the elite world championship title in 2015, ahead of Van Aert, due to struggling with various injuries. His elite career got off to a cracking start winning the elite world championships at 19-years-old in 2015. Since then he has gone on to dominate cyclocross races and is unbeatable on his day. In 2013 he was world road champion and is the current Dutch champion. He won his first ‘cross race of the season at Grote Prijs Stad Eeklo.

Behind the two dominant riders, are a host of contenders who are always in the hunt. Kevin Pauwels (Marlux–Napoleon Games) was third at world’s and second at Jingle Cross last year. The 33-year-old Belgian is usually a consistent performer.

Lars van der Haar (Telenet–Fidea Lions) was once a tremendously promising young rider but has since been out shined. He won the overall World Cup title in 2013/2014 and won the European championships in 2015. Toon Aerts (Telenet–Fidea Lions), 23, is the current European champion. Other Belgian names to keep an eye out for this season are Tom Meeusen (Telenet–Fidea Lions), Michael Vanthourenhout (Marlux–Napoleon Games) and Laurens Sweeck (ERA Real Estate-Murprotec).

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As for North American’s Stephen Hyde (Cannondale powered by cyclocrossworld.com) is the current U.S. champion and is talented enough to be in the mix especially in the opening rounds on home soil. Jeremy Powers (Aspire Racing)  doesn’t always have the highest profile results but if he has the opportunity you could see him at the front on American soil if only briefly.

While national ‘cross champion Jeremy Martin hung up his wheels, Canada’s hopes lie on Michael Van den Ham (Garneau-Easton) the top Canadian at the 2017 world championships. While not racing Jingle Cross, Mark “Hot Sauce” McConnell is another one to keep an eye on this year. The other Canadians racing Jingle Cross are Craig Richie, Trevor O’Donnell, Derek Zandstra, Isaac Niles, Nicholas Diniz and Christian Ricci.

Elite women

Prolific veteran Katie Compton won Jingle Cross last year as well as the Trek CXC Cup in Waterloo before it was elevated to World Cup status. The 38-year-old has won 14 consecutive U.S. national titles and remains a favourite especially at the two season openers on American soil. American’s Kaitlin Keough (Cyclance Pro Cycling) and Ellen Noble (Aspire Racing) are two other’s to watch.

World champion Sanne Cant (Beobank-Corendon) finally won the rainbow jersey in 2017. The 26-year-old Belgian champion has twice won the overall world cup title and is arguably the big favourite at any race she enters.

Canadian champion Maghalie Rochette (Clif Bar Team) had a breakthrough performance at world’s last year finishing fifth. She was second at her two first races of the season at Rochester Cross. If all things go as planned, the maple leaf will have an impact on racing throughout the season as she brings #CXFever to ‘cross races around North America and Europe. The other Canadians racing in Iowa City are Christel Ferrier-Bruneau, Ruby West, Natasha Elliot, Siobhan Kelly, Erica Leonard and Evelyne Ward.

Brit Helen Wyman (Kona Factory Team), Italian Eva Lechner (Clif Bar Team), Katarina Nash (Clif Bar Team) of the Czech Republic, and last year’s overall World Cup champion Sophie de Boer (Parkhotel Valkenburg Cycling Team) of the Netherlands are other names to keep an eye on.