After a strong cyclocross season last year that finished with a silver medal in the U23 World Championships in Fayetteville, Shirin van Anrooij will start this year at the C2 level Kermiscross Ardooie on 20th October 2022. After a hugely impressive road season that saw Van Anrooij crowned the U23 Women’s WorldTour leader, hopes are high that she will push on another level this cyclocross season. Her age group rivalry with Puck Pieterse was particularly intense last year with both riders swapping positions in the major championships – Van Anrooij won the European Championships on the VAMberg ahead of her rival. With Fem van Empel in fine form at the start of the year too, the next generation of women’s cyclocrossers looks strong already.
After finishing 13th in the World Championships TT and 51st in the road race, Van Anrooij has had a short break from racing after the trip to Australia. Her road season also saw her finish 14th in the GC of the Tour de France Femmes and also the best young rider in that major race.
The Kermiscross Ardooie is the lowest C2 level, so an ideal way to get back in the swing of it whilst the World Cup events are taking place in America. Last year’s race was won by Alicia Franck ahead of Suzanne Verhoeven and Amira Mellor.
