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Namur Cyclo-cross podium history | 2024 edition

Weather at Namur at 2:50 PM, local time: 9C (48F), cloudy, with the wind from the south at 14 km/hr (9 mph). There is just a 2% chance of rain.

Complete results: Men | Women

Namur Cyclocross course map.

The UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup round in Namur traditionally delivers plenty of excitement. Last year, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado managed to hold off Lucinda Brand on and around the citadel. In the men's race, Toon Aerts seemed to be on his way to victory, but the Belgian crashed on the famous off-camber section and had to leave the win to Michael Vanthourenhout

Men:

Mathieu van der Poel wins wearing the Rainbow Jersey.

Les Woodland's book Cycling's 50 Triumphs and Tragedies: The rise and fall of bicycle racing's champions is available in print, Kindle eBook & audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.

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

Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) lived up to his favorite status in Namur. The world champion claimed victory after an intense battle with Thibau Nys (Baloise Glowi Lions) and Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen – Altez Industriebouw Cycling Team).

Van der Poel’s return was highly anticipated. Starting from the third row, the Dutchman began steadily. The demanding course around the Citadel of Namur quickly caused the first selection.

By the fourth of nine laps, a decisive lead group had formed: Lars van der Haar, Thibau Nys, Michael Vanthourenhout, and Mathieu van der Poel showed their strength. Two Dutchmen, two Belgians—a true battle between the Low Countries.

Behind them, Verstrynge, Vandeputte, Ronhaar, and Nieuwenhuis tried everything to catch the leaders, but in vain. They finished in positions 5 through 8.

Mathieu van der Poel on his way to winning the race.

With three laps to go, Van der Haar struggled and had to let go. A lap later, he returned and took the initiative, but Van der Poel quickly caught up. In the seventh lap, Van der Poel unleashed his power. Only Nys could follow, while Vanthourenhout kept the pair in sight.

In the penultimate lap, Nys took the lead and put Van der Poel under pressure. Neither gave an inch, taking calculated risks. Nys slipped slightly, allowing Van der Poel to surge ahead. He never looked back and soloed to his sixth victory in Namur, becoming the record holder on the iconic Citadel course. Nys extended his lead as World Cup leader.

Complete results:

22.30 kilometers raced at an average speed of 22.873 km/hr

Unattached riders have their nationality listed.

Women:

Lucinda Brand wins the 2025 Namur Cross Race.

Les Woodland's book Tour de France: The Inside Story - Making the World's Greatest Bicycle Race is available in print, Kindle eBook and audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.

The race: Here's the organizer's report:

Lucinda Brand (Baloise Glowi Lions) claimed her fourth World Cup win of the season in Namur. She led from start to finish, securing her fifth victory in the Citadelcross.

Amandine Fouquenet (Arkea B&B Hotels Woman) got the fastest start on the Citadel of Namur, but Brand was unstoppable and took the lead halfway through the first lap. Jolanda Neff also stood out, quickly moving up to third place.

Lucinda Brand on her way to another cross win.

Brand never looked back, extending her lead lap after lap. Even a puncture couldn’t stop her from winning. In the background, a battle unfolded between Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck), Aniek van Alphen (Seven Racing), and Amandine Fouquenet. Pieterse, making her return to the cyclocross scene, steadily moved up but had to get back into race rhythm, ultimately finishing just off the podium.

Aniek van Alphen, World Cup leader, took second place, maintaining her position in the standings with a one-point lead over Brand. French rider Amandine Fouquenet rounded out the podium in third, just seconds behind Van Alphen.

Complete results:

17.3 kilometers raced at an average speed of 19.812 km/hr

Unattached riders have their nationality listed.