Cycling: The Cyclocross World Cup starts today in Valkenburg. Like last year, the Dutch will be hoping for their favorites Marianne Vos (Rabo-Liv) and Lars van der Haar (Giant-Shimano) to win. But also from a German point of view one can look forward to the race with good cheer.
With Philipp Walsleben (BKCP-Powerplus), last year's second in the World Cup is at the start. And he's motivated. He finished third at Kermiscross in Ardooie on Wednesday so he's in good form. Can he improve on his third place from last year?
However, on the demanding course on the Cauberg, he will also have to defend himself against strong competition from Belgium and the Netherlands – above all, the never-tiring Sven Nys should be mentioned here. Reigning world champion Zdenek Stybar, who dislocated his shoulder on Wednesday, will not be there.
The German team is completed by Marcel Meisen (Corendon-Kwadroo), Sascha Weber (Veranclassic-Doltcini), Yannick Mayer (BikeAid) and Christoph Ambroziak (Gunsha-KMC Team).
From 14:50 p.m. you can follow the race live.
[iframe src=“//www.youtube.com/embed/vK2FlQsCzN0?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0″ width=“620″ height=“349″]In the women's category, American Katie Compton (Trek) and Brits Helen Wyman (Kona) and Nikki Harris (Young-Telenet Fidea) will try to make life difficult for Marianne Vos. The German team is represented by Liv-Susanne Bachmann, Yvonne Fiedler, Lisa Heckmann, Jessica Lambracht and Stefanie Paul.
This race will also be streamed at 13.30 p.m.
[iframe src=“//www.youtube.com/embed/MCiW1N4Nejs?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0″ width=“620″ height=“349″]In the U23 class, all eyes will be on one of the most hotly traded talents at the moment, the Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel, who won the elite race at the start of the Superprestige series in Gieten this year. The BDR sends a team around the reigning U23 champion Felix Drumm into the race.