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Gavere Cyclocross podium history | 2023 edition

Complete Results: men | women

Weather at the race city of Gavere at 2:20 PM, local time: 7C (44F), cloudy, with the wind from the east at 5 km/hr (3 mph). There is a 2% chance of rain.

Gavere Cross map

Men Elite:

Mathieu van der Poel wins again.

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The race: Here's the UCI's race report.

World champion Van der Poel has now also won Gavere after his solo in Zonhoven. The Dutchman made it 26 seconds ahead of leader in the standings Michael Vanthourenhout. Thibau Nys finished in third place at 41 seconds.

The fastest start in Gavere was for Thibau Nys (Baloise Trek Lions). The European champion immediately turned on the throttle and got leader of the general classification Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) on his wheel. Ronhaar (Baloise Trek Lions) was also able to pick up his wagon. The pace slackened briefly when Nys made a slide after trying to clear the mud from his front wheel with his hands. At the end of the first lap, there was a breakaway of four, as world champion Van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) also slipped in.

World Cup leader Vanthourenhout, who also won in Namur earlier this season, clearly felt comfortable on this tough course. In the second lap, he continued to set the pace, with world champion Van der Poel on his wheel. Nys also took hold, but for Ronhaar it was gradually going too fast at the front.

Lap three was the world champion's moment. Van der Poel arched his back and rode away from his companions metre by metre. Vanthourenhout and Nys were evenly matched and spent the rest of the race chasing the world champion. With two laps to go, Nys put pressure on his companion. Vanthourenhout saw his moment coming and made an attempt of his own. Meanwhile, Van der Haar (Baloise Trek Lions) joined his teammate.

Van der Poel started the final lap with a 32-second lead. It was the battle for third place that announced itself as exciting, but suddenly Van der Haar had to let his teammate ride. Nys briefly seemed to be able to keep up with Vanthourenhout, but the latter had a final acceleration in his legs. At the finish, the world champion was 26 seconds ahead of the overall leader. Nys was 41 seconds behind in third place.

Complete Results:

20.4 kilometers raced at an average speed of 18.691 km/hr

Women Elite:

Fem van Empel wins in Gavere. Her nearest chaser is more than a half-minute back. UCI photo

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The race: Here's the UCI's report.

On a tough course in Gavere, world champion Van Empel won the classic with conviction. She finished more than half a minute ahead of compatriot Brand, who remains leader of the general classification. Pieterse, last year's winner, finished third.

Fem Van Empel (Visma Lease a Bike) took the lead early in the race. Only Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck), last year's winner, was able to follow the wheel of the world champion. The course in Gavere holds no secrets. On lap two, Van Empel accelerated a first time on the climb where running was required. Pieterse cracked and the world champion had cycled a lead of about 15 seconds at the end of the second lap and after 20 minutes of racing.

The riders would end up riding only five laps, indicating how tough the course was in Gavere. Brand (Baloise Trek Lions) in turn left Vas behind in her quest for Puck Pieterse's wheel and second place. On the penultimate lap, Brand was finally able to connect. She went straight up and over last season's winner.

At the front, Van Empel was still able to extend her lead. The world champion started the final lap with a 33-second lead. On that final lap, Pieterse was able to rejoin Brand. After a slide by Brand, it was Pieterse who in turn started to increase the pressure. In the sloping running lane, Brand again took the upper hand.

Brand did not relinquish second place. Meanwhile, at the front, Van Empel was victorious. She took the win with 37 seconds ahead of her compatriot. Pieterse eventually finished in third place at 46 seconds.

Complete Results:

Where no team is given I have posted the rider's nationality.

14.6 kilometers raced at an average speed of 16.713 km/hr