The World Cup comes to an end this weekend with the GP Andrie van der Poel, which is better known as the Hoogerheide World Cup. The U23 and Junior men overall titles are wrapped up as we discussed this week. On the Elite Men’s side, Toon Aerts pretty much has the overall solidified after a second place finish last week in Nommay. On the women’s side, the overall title is up for grabs as Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado leads Annemarie Worst by a mere five points.
Elite Men
With one week remaining before the World Championships, all eyes will be on the Elite Men to see who may be coming into, or keeping, top form. Mathieu van der Poel returns and is the odds on favorite for the race named after his father. Behind is where the real battle could occur. Eli Iserbyt looks to be back to his best and Toon Aerts seems to be coming around after breaking his ribs. As we mentioned, the overall title is pretty much decided, but the battle for third overall between Michael Vanthourenhout and Laurens Sweeck will come down to who crosses the line first this weekend.
- Mathieu van der Poel
- Eli Iserbyt
- Toon Aerts
Elite Women
With all the other categories overall winners decided, the Elite Women bring the series to a spectacular conclusion. Ceylian del Carmen Alvarado has slowly taken control, but Annemarie Worst has picked up three wins in the series (including last weekend in Nommay) and looks poised to take the title. We discussed the many scenarios that can play out, but we truly think the first person across the line will win the title. The one wildcard is Lucinda Brand, who skipped last weeks race, but won the two previous rounds of the World Cup.
The narritive all season has been the Dutch women and we are keeping with that trend. We’re eyeing up an all Dutch podium in the only round of the World Cup in the Netherlands. The battle this Sunday may not only determine who wins the World Cup overall, but who may cross the line first at Worlds.
- Annemarie Worst
- Ceylian del Carmen Alvarado
- Lucinda Brand
Photo credit: http://gpadrievanderpoel.nl/
