After a quiet weekend last week, this weekend there are ten races in seven countries. The week kicked off on Monday where Mathieu van der Poel and Lucinda Brand to the win at Jaarmarktcross Niel. In North America, there are two pairs of UCI C2 races. There’s the Major Taylor Cross Cup in Indiana and the Supercross race in New York.
In Europe, most eyes will be on the World Cup race in Tabor. It is the only race in Europe on Saturday. On Sunday most of the top riders will go to second round of the DVV Trofee in Hamme. The Norwegian National Championships takes place on Sunday. There’s also the a round of the EKZ CrossTour in Hittnau as well as round of Japan’s national series in Takashima City. Finally, there is the 40th anniversary of the World memorial ciclocross Saccolongo in Italy.
With all the racing going on on Sunday, we are going to focus our picks on Saturday. We will predict the World Cup round in Tabor and day one of the Supercross race in New York.
World Cup Tabor
Elite Men
After sweeping the first three rounds of the World Cup, Eli Iserbyt is going to have his hands full as Mathieu van Der Poel toes the start line for his first World Cup race of the season. Surprisingly. van der Poel finished third in Tabor last year behind Toon Aerts and Wout van Aert. However, he has shown top form the past two weeks and is the man to beat. Iserbyt kept things close at the European Championships and will try to stick with van der Poel once again. Behind those two, there’s a half dozen riders who could contend for the podium.
- Mathieu van der Poel
- Eli Iserbyt
- Quinten Hermans
Elite Women
After skipping the first two rounds of the World Cup, Annemarie Worst picked up the win in Bern. The women’s fields are incredibly deep this year. There are a dozen or so riders who can land on the podium at any given race. No one rider has dominated the season this year. Going off of last weekends European Championships, riders like Worst, Eva Lechner and Maud Kaptheijns are also favorites to win. Not to mention, the new European Champion and Worst’s teammate, Yara Kastelijn.
- Annemarie Worst
- Maud Keptheijns
- Yara Kastelijn
Supercross Day 1
Elite Men
It’s another split weekend for racers in North America. Most of the top riders are headed to Suffern, New York for Supercross. The race has been around for a while and has changed locations a few times. Without sounding like a broken record, the obvious favorites are Kerry Werner and Curtis White. Werner is coming off possibly the biggest win of his career and will be displaying the Pan-Am jersey with pride. Stephen Hyde is another favorite for the podium. Last weeks surprise, Jamie Driscoll, will not be in attendance.
- Kerry Werner
- Curtis White
- Stephen Hyde
Elite Women
Like the men, most of the top women will be in New York this weekend. Maghalie Rochette, who has dominated the North American scene, will not be in attendance. Rebecca Fahringer, who finished third at Pan-Ams, will be one of the favorites. Other riders to watch include Courtenay McFadden and Rachel Rubino. The field has a decent amount of younger riders, who could make an impact on the race.
- Rebecca Fahringer
- Rachel Rubino
- Courtenay McFadden
