Cyclocross World Championships Slideshow: A Tale of Rivalries, Old and New
Some 50,000 spectators saw firsthand what the rest of the world witnessed at Hoogerheide: the 2023 cyclocross world championship was one for the ages.
The weekend delivered scintillating racing and thrilling narratives. From the clash of the elite men’s “big two” of Wout Van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel to the budding stars of Puck Pieterse and Fem van Empel in the elite women’s race, Hoogerheide was the backdrop for rivalries old and new.
Van Empel confirmed her rise with a stunning victory over Pieterse, whose lone error cost her a chance at the stripes. The pair is at once teammates and rivals. The men’s race was the latest tug of war between Van Aert and Van der Poel in a rivalry that dates back to their teens. On Sunday, Van der Poel was sublime, outmuscling and out-finessing this longtime nemesis to win his fifth rainbow jersey.
These rivalries helped pump new excitement into cyclocross all season long. Along with 2022 world champion Tom Pidcock making the talk of the “Big Three” all winter, and the rise of a new generation anchored by Pieterse, Van Empel, and U23 world champion Shirin van Anrooij and Zoe Bäckstedt, the stage is set for these storylines to carry cyclocross forward another decade.
Big names draw the big crowds. And Hoogerheide was packed out all weekend. Here are the best images from Getty’s fleet of photographers:
Fem van Empel and Puck Pieterse of The Netherlands compete during the 74th World Championships. (Photo by David Stockman/Getty Images)The ‘stairway to heaven’ was decisive all weekend long in Hoogerheide, Netherlands. (Photo by David Stockman/Getty Images)Belgian Thibau Nys celebrates with his father, former Belgian cyclocross champion Sven Nys, after winning the Men U23 race in Hoogerheide. (Photo by JASPER JACOBS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)All eyes were on Wout van Aert, who won silver in the elite men’s race. (Photo by DAVID PINTENS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)British Zoe Backstedt pictured in action during the Women U23 race in front of a packed house. (Photo by DAVID PINTENS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)Belgian Michael Vanthourenhout handles the barriers with finesse to finish fifth in the elite men’s race. (Photo by DAVID PINTENS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)Race winner Fem van Empel of The Netherlands and Puck Pieterse of The Netherlands on second place celebrate at finish line at the dawn a new era. (Photo by David Stockman/Getty Images)Tire pressure always proves decisive, and mostly dry conditions made for fast racing. (Photo by DAVID PINTENS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)Sister Act: Silver medalist Ava Holmgren of Canada, gold medalist Isabella Holmgren of Canada, embrace each other on the podium during the medal ceremony after during the 74th World Championships junior women’s race. (Photo by David Stockman/Getty Images)Dutch rider and winner Fem Van Empel celebrates with her mother after striking gold. (Photo by BAS CZERWINSKI/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)Rivals and respect to the end. (Photo by David Stockman/Getty Images)Van Der Poel carried the speed to win his fifth world title. (Photo by DAVID PINTENS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)Puck Pieterse, left, and Fem van Empel pulled away early. (Photo by David Stockman/Getty Images)Read More
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