Dutch National Coach Gerben de Knegt has finalised the squad for the inaugural UCI Cyclocross World Cup of the 2023-2024 season, set to take place on October 15 in Waterloo, USA. Among the line-up are reigning world champion Fem van Empel (winner at Beringen last weekend) and Dutch champions Lars van der Haar and Puck Pieterse.
De Knegt has selected six men and seven women for the American contest, which is notably the only World Cup event taking place in the United States this season. “This means not all top riders are making the trip this time, except for those truly ambitious about the World Cup standings. This gives me the opportunity to include some riders who wouldn’t normally get a chance when all the top riders want to participate,” he elaborated.
Many of the selected riders have already participated in European cyclocross events this season, but for Puck Pieterse, the Waterloo event will be her first cyclocross race this winter. Pieterse is already in North America having competed in mountain bike World Cup events in the United States and Canada.
Notably absent from the squad are top performers Denise Betsema and Lucinda Brand, who are still recovering from injuries, as well as Marianne Vos, who will not participate in cyclocross this winter due to surgery. Despite these absences, De Knegt remains optimistic. “Last weekend in Beringen, where Fem van Empel, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, and Shirin van Anrooij made the podium, we saw that we have enough top women to compete for the win. I expect the same in Waterloo,” he said.
Dutch Men’s Elite Selection
- Lars van der Haar
- Joris Nieuwenhuis
- Ryan Kamp
- Pim Ronhaar
- David Haverdings
- Pete Uptegrove
Dutch Women’s Elite Selection
- Fem van Empel
- Puck Pieterse
- Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
- Shirin van Anrooij
- Inge van der Heijden
- Manon Bakker
- Leonie Bentveld
With such a line-up, the Dutch team is clearly eyeing a strong start to the World Cup season, featuring a blend of proven champions and emerging talents. Both the men’s and women’s contingents appear well-equipped to challenge for top honours, promising a thrilling showdown in Waterloo.
