The 13th of 15 rounds of the World Cup will be completed in Hulst on Sunday. Unfortunately without an audience, but again in the picturesque city center. CyclingFlash looks ahead to the sixth edition of the Vestingcross.
History
The creation of the Vestingcross ran parallel to the start of the Brico Cross (2016-2017, now Ethias Cross), a series of competitions under the same umbrella, albeit without a classification and covered by the Flemish commercial channel VTM. The organizers at the time already had a deal with Geraardsbergen, Meulebeke, Kruibeke, Bredene and Maldegem and were still looking for a sixth game.
The Hulst alderman Jean-Paul Hageman, a business contact of organizer Kurt Vernimmen, saw potential in a cyclocross race. The Fortifications in the city center, with the 18th-century city mill in the background, formed the ideal backdrop. On February 12, 2017, the Vestingcross was on the calendar for the first time.
The decor in Hulst appeals to the imagination – photo: Cor Vos © 2019
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The race was an immediate hit with the public and the riders and immediately attracted 10,000 spectators to Hulst in its first edition. The Vestingcross turned out to be the showpiece of the Brico Crossen in no time. Big downside: because the race was on the calendar in February, they could no longer count on top players Van der Poel and Van Aert two years ago, who made the switch to the road and were already in full preparation for their summer campaign.
So the ambitious organizers had to look for a solution and it was found in entering the World Cup. Both the province of Zeeland and the municipality of Hulst wanted to participate in that story, so that a major step forward was taken last year. Since the World Cup ends every year before the World Cup, they were immediately assured of an attractive date in Hulst. And that Sunday, January 3, 2021.
perkpolder
Covid-19 and the strict measures in the Netherlands have already thrown a spanner in the works. Eventually they moved to the perfectly closable Perkpolder on the Western Scheldt. Thanks to a conclusive plan that was submitted to NOC/NSF and all other safety authorities, the competition was able to continue.
The Perkpolder was also quite a unique location – photo: ©Paul d’Eer
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This year, Hulst will return to the city center. “Because no public is allowed after all, that is now possible,” said spokesman Bram De Brauwer. “With the public, that would not have been an option in corona times.” In principle, it is only the intention to return to Perkpolder within four years – when Hulst is the host city of the World Cup.
Last winners (Hulst)
Men
2021: 
Mathieu van der Poel
2020: 
Eli Iserbyt
2019: Mathieu van der Poel
2018: Mathieu van der Poel
2017: Mathieu van der Poel
Women
2021: Denise Betsema
2020: Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
2019: Denise Betsema
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Laura Verdonschot flag-be
True Cant
Betsema was deprived of victory in 2019 after she previously tested positive. Her name was later cleared: the positive test was due to a contaminated dietary supplement.
Last year
Mathieu van der Poel outstanding
To avoid misunderstandings, last year the race in Hulst was held in the Perkpolder, a completely different course than that in the city center. Heavy fare, more tailored to Wout van Aert, you would think. But the then World Cup leader immediately lost valuable time in the material zone in the early stages.
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Van der Poel had a good start, tolerated Toon Aerts for a while, but on the first technical passages the world champion already made a first hole. And the competition would only see Van der Poel again after the finish. Things got a lot more exciting behind him. After several tire changes, Van Aert returned to a group with Pidcock, Aerts and Vanthourenhout.
Van der Poel in Hulst, with the Western Scheldt in the background – photo: Cor Vos © 2021
Vanthourenhout took a shot at second place around halfway through, but was taken back. In the end, the battle for second place became a duel between Pidcock and Van Aert and in the last round Van Aert settled that duel in his favor, albeit one and a half minutes behind a superior Mathieu van der Poel. 1.
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Show Aerts at 3’07”
Denise Betsema also makes it after a long solo
Denise Betsema set the pace in the initial phase and had Annemarie Worst, Blanka Kata Vas and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado in her wake. Lucinda Brand started a little slower, but joined the leading group on the second lap. Marianne Vos, for the first time in Jumbo-Visma outfit, was still further away and would never see the head of the race again.
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In the second round, Betsema evaporated. Alvarado, Worst and Brand tried to keep the gap within limits, but the trio only succeeded after a bike change from Betsema. But that was just a stay of execution. Halfway through the race, the Texel raced again, this time definitively. Brand, in turn, drove away from Alvarado and Sausage.
Denise Betsema won by force majeure in Hulst – photo: Cor Vos © 2021
Denise Betsema’s victory was no longer in danger. Behind her it was still exciting for the other podium places. But despite another slip, Brand held on to second place. Alvarado was third on the podium. Because of her second place, Brand was immediately assured of a final win in the World Cup, even though Overijse was still on the menu two weeks later. 1.
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Blanka Kata Vas at 1’57”
Journey
In Hulst they have two circuits. Last year we cruised in the Perkpolder, a development area on the Western Scheldt, in the northern part of the municipality. But the original and yet slightly more attractive route has been marked out in the center along the fortifications. It is there that will be returned to this year.
It’s a technical course, spiced up with some firm, steep calf biters. Ideal for types such as Van der Poel, Pidcock, Van der Haar and Iserbyt, slightly less for men who rely purely on strength such as Van Aert and Aerts. Although they have evolved in such a way that they can run on all courses.
The course is 90 percent the same as it was two years ago, when the last race was in the city center. Its length is three kilometers and only the last five hundred meters towards the finish have been changed. An L-bridge was also added in the latter part.
The organization provided us with some images, which already give an idea of what the riders will face on Sunday afternoon.
Program
Program Sunday 2 January 2022
13:40: Women Elite and U23
15u05: Men Elite
Location:
City center, Hulst – Glacisweg
Please note: due to the current corona measures, NO PUBLIC is allowed at the event. Furthermore, no youth competitions are allowed.
Website organization
World Cup website
Twitter account World Cup
Provisional participant lists 1.
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Vincent Baestaens – 166 1.
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Hélène Clauzel – 155
Favorites Men Still no Mathieu van der Poel in Hulst on Sunday. Then the road to an eight out of eight seems ahead
Wout van Aert to be wide open. Please note: Van Aert has never won in Hulst. In 2017, the only time he started on the city center course, he finished third. After Mathieu van der Poel and Lars van der Haar. As we indicated in the route description, this course is not made for him. But with his current form level, he should be able to compensate for that disadvantage.In our view, opposition mainly comes from Tom Pidcock , Eli Iserbytin
Lars van der Haar
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. Three lightweights who can certainly force something in Hulst with their nimbleness. World Cup leader Iserbyt is also the only one of the field of participants who ever managed to win in Hulst. In February 2020 he beat Tom Pidcock and Toon Aerts. Eli Iserbyt was already the best in Hulst in 2020. He then knocked Tom Pidcock – (archive) photo: Cor Vos © 2020 Other contenders for a top result Michael Vanthourenhout, Toon Aertsin
Quinten Hermans
. Hermans is the only one of the toppers who opted for an extra day of rest on New Year’s Day. Wondering whether that freshness actually benefits him in Hulst. Aerts falls just outside our stars.
Favorites according to WielerFlits
*** Wout van Aert
** Tom Pidcock, Eli Iserbyt
* Michael Vanthourenhout, Quinten Hermans, Lars van der Haar Women The women’s competition in Hulst could be a very exciting one. Lucinda Brand has been head and shoulders above the rest for weeks now. But the competition did not sit still. so it seems
Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado to be gradually reborn. In Baal she challenged the world champion. If she has recovered sufficiently, she should also be able to compete for a long time in Hulst. Alvarado already won the cross in Hulst in 2020. Brand has never raced on this circuit.But there are more hijackers on the coast. Just think about Marianne Vos . She fitted for Heusden-Zolder, Loenhout and Baal and must be just about the freshest rider at the start in Hulst. For us, Vos is the top favourite. Also
Denise Betsema
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is once again eager for an excellent result. Betsema also has a good relationship with Hulst. Not only on the course in the Perkpolder, where she won last year, but also on the city course she always did well in the past. Will Marianne Vos also win the second Dutch World Cup of the season? – Photo: Cor Vos © 2021Our last names in our list of shadow favorites are youngsters Puck Pieterse , Fem van Empelin Blanka Kata Vas. Three young women who are increasingly able to challenge the established values. Just look at Van Empel in Heusden-Zolder. Shirin van Anrooij , Annemarie Worst in
True Cant
fall just outside the stars for Hulst.
Favorites according to WielerFlits
*** Marianne Vos
** Denise Betsema, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
* Lucinda Brand, Puck Pieterse, Fem van Empel, Blanka Kata Vas
Weather and TV The World Cup in Hulst for elite women and elite men can be followed live and in full at Sporza and Proximus Open on Sunday from 1.30 pm. In the Netherlands, the match can be seen on Eurosport and NOS (online). Below you will find the weather forecast according to
–Meteovista.be.
Temperatures remain mild for the time of year, but precipitation and a strong wind are expected.
