Van der Poel hopes to kick off an intense weekend of cyclocross in the dunes of Koksijde

Just 48 hours after being unable to compete in the GP Sven Nys de Baal due to a rib injury from a fall in Loenhout, Mathieu van der Poel will return if his physical condition allows it this coming Friday at the Vlaamse Duinencross de Koksijde. This is the sixth of the eight scoring rounds of a Trofee X2O that started on November 1 with the legendary Koppenbergcross in Oudenaarde and will conclude on February 16 at the Brussels Universities Cyclocross in the Belgian capital.

Where and how to follow the Vlaamse Duinencross de Koksijde

The same response as in the vast majority of cyclocross competitions every winter. Eurosport will be responsible for broadcasting live the two elite races of a Vlaamse Duinencross in which Mathieu van der Poel, in principle, will once again attract an audience always eager for cycling a few weeks before the start of the road season. Both the women's and men's races can be watched on Eurosport 2, with the option to do so through the MAX app without interruptions and the possibility to choose the language.

For those planning to travel to Koksijde or living near this coastal town in West Flanders, known for hosting the Bredene Koksijde Classic every year or being the venue for many years of stages of the now renewed 3 Days of De Panne, there is the advantage of purchasing an online ticket for 14€ or at the box office on race day for just 2€ more.

Schedule of the Vlaamse Duinencross de Koksijde

Friday, January 3

• Women's elite race: 13:45
• Men's elite race: 15:00

One of the great temples of cyclocross

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With Van der Poel ruled out of the fight for the overall classification of the Trofee X2O, it is logical that the race will once again have several points of attention even if everything follows the expected script and the world champion is in the race. On one hand, the battle to reach the prestigious podium of Koksijde and on the other hand the battle for the top spot in a competition that currently seems very much in favor of Eli Iserbyt, as he leads Toon Aerts by more than 3 and a half minutes. All integrated into a spectacular and different circuit thanks to the incursion into the sand dunes of the beach in the Flemish municipality.

On such an attractive stage, if he doesn't decide to save himself for the World Cup event in Dendermonde on Sunday, Van der Poel will try to achieve his fifth victory in Koksijde and get closer to the seven of the record held by Sven Nys. For many years part of the World Cup program, and even hosting two World Championships, this competition is the great classic of Belgian cyclocross sand and one of the most appreciated and anticipated races by fans.