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World Cup preview: who to watch in Stellenbosch

Injuries, absentees, and a cyclocrosser facing down the undefeated Schurter

Emily Batty at the 2015 Mont-Sainte-Anne World Cup
Nino Schurter Hunt for Glory Scott Sram
Image: Scott-SRAM / Jochen Haar

Stellenbosch World Cup season opener is shaping up to be a barn burner. And that’s not just referring to the feeling the racers will have competing in the South African heat and bone dry conditions. As ever with the first race of the season, there’s more unknowns than knowns, and all the added hype of pent up anticipation, from fans and athletes alike. The big story is shaping up to be the showdown between a dominant Nino Schurter and the rising star of Mathieu van der Poel, but there’s even more big names taking the start in the women’s race.

RELATED: Live Stream World Cup XC from Stellenbosch, South Africa

World Champion Jolanda Neff (Kross Racing) has somehow returned from a massive crash earlier this year, and will be on the start line. The Swiss phenom broke a collarbone and elbow in a heavy crash with Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Canyon Factory Racing) at the Hoogerheide Cyclocross World Cup in January, and was expected to miss the first round. Ferrand-Prevot fared better in the crash, and has been racing on the road since, but it’s still not likely how the French multiple-world champion wanted to start her season. Both we’re carrying strong momentum out of last years world championships in Cairns, Australia, where Neff won her first senior title and Ferrand-Prevot finished third.

Catharine Pendrel
Catharine Pendrel. Image: Mathieu Belanger/Gestev

Look for Canadians Catharine Pendrel (Cliff Pro Team) and Emily Batty (Trek Factory Racing) to challenge at the front of the race. Pendrel, twice world champion and Olympic bronze medalist from Rio, is a perennial threat any time she lines up, and Batty is pushing hard early in the season to be ready for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April. Both recently raced at the Copa Catalana in Spain as a tune up race, and are looking fast.

RELATED: Canadians to Watch at Stellenbosch World Cup XC this Saturday

Absent from the start line will be last year’s World Cup overall winner, Yana Belomoina (CTS American Eagle). After her breakout performance last year, the Ukrainian injured her leg during winter training, and did not feel ready for the start. Annie Last (KMC-Ekoi-SR Suntour) could also be one to watch, as she’ll also be at Commonwealth Games, and should still be riding high from her historic second place finish in Cairns, the best ever performance by a U.K. woman at a world championships. Former world champion Annika Langvad (Specialized) should have more than enough fitness for the race as well, as the Danish national champion is staying in South Africa to race the Cape Epic marathon stage race the following week.

Elite Men – Nino Schurter vs. The World

Elite men’s podium: 1. Nino Schurter 2. Stephane Tempier 3. Gerhard Kerschbaumer 4. Tatouant Carod 5. Maxime Marotte. Photo: Matt Stetson

It’s crowded and chaotic at the front of the men’s World Cup field, but Nino Schurter (Scott-SRAM) survived all of 2017 unscathed. In a truly impressive feat, the Swiss Olympic champion won every World Cup round, world championships, and last years Cape Epic. Undefeated doesn’t mean there wasn’t close calls, though, as Schurter was under pressure from a trio of young French riders all year. Stephane Tempier (Bianchi Countervail), Jordan Sarrou (KMC-Ekoi-SR Suntour) and Maxime Marrotte (Cannondale Factory Racing) have taken over the reigns of French cross country from Julien Absalon (Absolute Absalon Racing), and will be looking to put an end to Schurter’s winning streak in South Africa.

The name on everyone’s lips, though, is Mathieu van der Poel (Corendon-Circus). The Dutch cyclocross superstar made select appearances at World Cup races last season, and was immediately able to put Schurter under pressure. The wiley vet was always able to distance the young Dutchman, but van der Poel appears more committed to his second season on dry dirt. As his experience on the mountain bike grows, so does his threat to Schurters dominance. With cyclocross World Championships barely a month ago, van der Poel will certainly be on form for a fast start, and Stellenbosch’s steep, punchy climbs should suit the cyclocrossers racing style.