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Gavere Cyclocross podium history | 2024 edition

Complete Results: men | women

Weather at the race city of Gavere at 3:00 PM, local time: 2C (35F), sunny, with the wind from the northeast a 8 km/hr (5 mph). There is just a 1% chance of rain.

2025 Gavere Cross map

Men Elite:

The incredible Mathieu van der Poel wins again.

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

Mathieu van der Poel remains flawless in the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup. After victories in Namur, Antwerp and Koksijde, the world champion also triumphed in Gavere. On a fast course, he stayed in the background until three laps from the finish, before dealing decisively with Thibau Nys.

There was no holeshot as a Christmas present for Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin–Deceuninck). Starting from the first row in Gavere, the world champion initially had to allow around ten riders to go ahead of him in the opening phase. The best start came from Thibau Nys (Baloise Glowi Lions). Behind him, a five-man lead group formed with Emiel Verstrynge (Crelan–Corendon), Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen – Altez Industriebouw CT) and Tibor Del Grosso (Alpecin–Deceuninck). The fifth man? Mathieu van der Poel. The world champion moved up rapidly and survived the first selection.

Within the lead group, there was even room for some light-hearted moments from Del Grosso, and after three laps the group had grown to seven riders. Mees Hendrikx (Heizomat – Cube) and Toon Aerts (Deschacht–Hens CX Team) managed to bridge across. The lead changed hands frequently during the first half of the race, but making a decisive move proved difficult on the fast Gavere circuit.

In the fourth lap, Nys felt it was time to make a move for the first time. On the long climb towards the castle, he blew the lead group apart. Only Verstrynge and Van der Poel were able to hold the wheel of the Belgian champion. Feeling clearly at ease on Boxing Day, Nys launched acceleration after acceleration. Realising he could not yet shake his rivals, he eased off slightly, allowing the lead group to grow once more.

Van der Poel stayed in the shadows for most of the race, until three laps from the finish. At the start of the long climb to the castle, Nys made a crucial steering error, after which Van der Poel launched a powerful uphill attack. The world champion immediately opened a 12-second gap and gradually extended it. Thanks to his attacking riding, Nys secured second place, while the final spot on the podium ultimately went to Tibor Del Grosso.

Complete results:

70 riders from 17 nations entered, 37 finished, 26 lapped, 7 did not finish.

25.30 kilometers raced at an average speed of 23.990 km/hr

Women Elite:

Lucinda Brand wins again.

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

Lucinda Brand claimed her fifth consecutive World Cup victory in Gavere. The Dutch rider finished ahead of Amandine Fouquenet and Puck Pieterse, further strengthening her lead in the overall standings.

There was no mud around Grenier Castle this year, but the riders were faced with an extremely fast course in Gavere. Amandine Fouquenet (Arkea–B&B Hotels Women) was the first to enter the field, proudly wearing the French tricolour. One of the most remarkable starts came from Jolanda Neff (Cannondale Factory Racing). Starting from the fifth row, the Swiss rider quickly moved to the front, but her moment of glory was short-lived, as Neff would not play a major role in the race.

The first acceleration of the race came from Shirin van Anrooij (Baloise Glowi Lions). She formed a leading group together with her teammate Lucinda Brand and Fouquenet. At the end of the first lap, the trio had a small advantage over the Alpecin–Deceuninck duo Puck Pieterse and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, as well as Célia Gery (AS Bike Racing / France Literie).

The two groups looked set to come together at the start of the second lap, but Van Anrooij had other ideas. The Dutch rider accelerated once more, this time with Pieterse on her wheel. Brand seemed to need some time to find her rhythm in Gavere, but halfway through the second lap she managed to rejoin the leaders. Shortly afterwards, Van Anrooij’s chances of victory were ruined by a crash and mechanical issues.

Although there was no mud, the top layer of the course still proved treacherous. After Pieterse crashed, Brand increased the pace. The World Cup leader was initially joined by the French duo Fouquenet and Gery, but that company did not last long. With three laps to go, Brand had flown the coop.

Fouquenet and Pieterse battled for second place. Pieterse was unable to close a small gap and ultimately had to settle for third.

Complete results:

68 riders from 15 nations entered, 55 finished, 6 lapped, 5 DNF, 2 did not start.

16.90 kilometers raced at an average speed of 20.927 km/hr