Marion Norbert Riberolle stormed to a commanding solo win in the women’s Exact Cross Essen today, repeating her victory from last year’s edition of the race. The Belgian, riding for Crelan-Corendon, made a decisive move on the sixth lap, leaving her rivals behind and maintaining her lead until the end.
The race started with Sara Casasola taking control on the second lap. The Italian champion set a fierce pace, immediately reducing the size of the lead group. Laura Verdonschot was the only rider who could match her, while others, including Norbert Riberolle, were temporarily distanced. By the end of the third lap, however, the race saw a regrouping, with six riders coming back together: Norbert Riberolle, Casasola, Verdonschot, Alicia Franck, Aniek van Alphen, and Manon Bakker.
Norbert Riberolle launched her first attack during the fourth lap, creating a significant gap on her rivals. However, Verdonschot managed to close it quickly, and soon Casasola and Franck rejoined the fight at the front. Van Alphen and Bakker were visibly struggling to maintain the pace and were temporarily dropped before regaining contact later.
On the sixth lap, Norbert Riberolle made what turned out to be the winning move. This time, her attack stuck, and a moment of hesitation from the chasers allowed her to open up a sizeable gap. Casasola attempted to lead the chase, but it was Franck who took the reins, trying to bring the group back to the Belgian leader. Despite her efforts, Norbert Riberolle’s advantage continued to grow.
By the start of the final lap, Norbert Riberolle had a comfortable 21-second lead. Casasola put in a strong ride to finish second, crossing the line eight seconds behind, with Verdonschot securing third place, 11 seconds adrift of the winner.
After the race, an emotional Norbert Riberolle dedicated her victory to her grandmother, who is currently hospitalised. “This win means so much to me because the last few days haven’t been easy,” she said. “Yesterday, I told my grandmother I’d win for her, and my mum, who’s normally here, stayed at the hospital to watch the race on TV with her. I’m so happy to have done it.”
Reflecting on the win, Norbert Riberolle also highlighted her early-season form. “Last year, my first win came in December, but this time it’s right at the start of the season, which is great for the team. I’ve made progress on the road, and I need to believe in myself more. I wasn’t sure how I’d win, but I think I attacked at the right moment.”
Verdonschot had predicted before the race that the dry conditions would make for a fast race. “It’s surprisingly dry in Essen,” she said. “I knew it wouldn’t be like last year’s muddy edition, but the ground is really bumpy. I’m expecting a fast, closed race.”
Norbert Riberolle’s victory marked her first of the season, and with this early success, she’ll be one to watch as the cyclocross season progresses.
2024 Women’s Exact Cross Essen result
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Photo Credit: GettyLaurens Sweeck kicks off his season with a dramatic win in the men’s race
In the men’s Exact Cross Essen, Laurens Sweeck opened his cyclocross season with a thrilling win, out-sprinting Niels Vandeputte in the final metres after a tense head-to-head battle.
The race came down to a dramatic finale between the two Belgian riders, who had distanced the rest of the field on the final lap. Vandeputte led into the last section of the circuit and looked set for victory, but a small slip on the final corner allowed Sweeck to capitalise. Vandeputte struggled to clip back into his pedal, giving Sweeck the chance to come around him and take the win by a narrow margin. “I think I got a bit lucky when Niels slipped, because normally you wouldn’t be able to catch him there,” Sweeck admitted after the race.
The pair had been part of a larger lead group earlier in the race, with Sweeck, Vandeputte, Jens Adams, Lander Loockx, Toon Aerts, and Toon Vandebosch all in the mix after Aerts forced the pace in the third lap. Aerts, riding for Deschacht-Hens-FSP, caused a significant split in the group, leaving seven riders in the lead.
Lap seven saw a brief regrouping as the pace slowed slightly, and more riders rejoined the front. However, Aerts was soon struck by mechanical trouble, dropping 20 seconds and having to chase back. The final laps saw the eight remaining leaders—including Ward Huybs and Aerts after his recovery—pushing the pace, but no one was able to make a decisive move until the final lap.
In the last few laps, Sweeck and Vandeputte pulled away from the rest, setting up a two-man showdown. As they approached the final hurdles, Vandeputte led, but Sweeck stayed glued to his wheel. It was on the final corner that Vandeputte’s slip opened the door for Sweeck, who sprinted to his first cyclocross win since February 2023. “It’s been a while since I’ve won, so this victory feels great,” said Sweeck. “I’ve been struggling for a while, and this win is a big boost for my confidence.”
Further back, Adams managed to secure the final spot on the podium, beating Loockx to third place by four seconds. Despite the late drama, the race had been tightly contested throughout, with no rider able to make a decisive break until the final moments.
For Sweeck, this victory marks a strong start to his cyclocross season, especially after a difficult 2023 campaign. “Last season didn’t go as well as I’d hoped, so to win here, in my first race back, is really encouraging. The race was quite nervous, especially in the early laps with the wind, but I was able to stay in a good position throughout,” he explained.
Vandeputte, who finished third at the Exact Cross in Beringen last week, had to settle for second place once again, while Adams rounded off the podium after another strong showing.
Sweeck’s win sets the tone for a highly competitive season ahead, with the Belgian looking to build on this early momentum.
2024 Exact Cross Essen Men’s result
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Main photo credit: Getty
