Hulst 2023 CX World Cup: favorites, schedules and how to watch

The CX World Cup lands in Hulst for the eleventh race of the year. The competition brings together in a new round the three best riders in the specialty: third time this season that Van der Poel, Van Aert and Pidcock will face each other. The main favorites will also be present in the women's category.

Where and when to watch the Hulst 2023 CX World Cup

The Hulst CX World Cup will take place on Saturday, December 30 as the final test before the end of the year. The broadcasts can be followed on Eurosport, Discovery+, Sporza, Proximus Pickx, Flobikes or NOS.nl.

Hulst CX World Cup Schedule

• 13:40 Women's Elite
• 15:10 Men's Elite

How does the CX World Cup arrive in Hulst?

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Cyclocross is moving forward at a forced pace due to the tight Christmas schedule. With hardly any time to recover and analyze what happened in previous races, the riders will have to face a new World Cup test. The top mud competition will visit Dutch territory -the second cradle of the discipline- for the first time this season, waiting to return at the end of January to put an end to this edition in Hoogerheide.

The forecasts point to a cloudy sky, although rains are initially ruled out.

The World Cup stepped up a level in Antwerp when the three patriarchs of cyclocross shared mud for the first time this season in the competition. Van der Poel has emerged as the clear dominator of the last two tests -Antwerp and Gavere- with a superiority that left no options for the rest of the riders in both rounds.

Van Aert is a step below his great rival but is the one who has the most chances to change the trend. The Belgian should already be in tune and the question is whether he will find in Hulst a version of himself that allows him to compete head to head with Van der Poel. 

Pidcock is the third in discord. The Briton arrived at the mud without touching the bike and it is most likely that he will gain confidence as the days go by. Despite usually starting with a certain disadvantage in the bets, there are also those who have hopes for him to sign the victory this Saturday. 

Iserbyt is the leader of the general classification and is enjoying a season full of great results; Ronhaar has earned the right to be considered one of the strongest rivals; Nieuwenhuis woke up a few weeks ago and seems willing to extend his grace period; and Van der Haar will seek to finish in another great position.

On the other side of the coin is the name of Vanthourenhout -despite winning the European he has had a campaign far from his best level-, Sweeck -who cannot shake off the lethargy that has accompanied him since the first rounds- and Nys -who has been deflating as the weeks went by-.

Here is the overall classification:

1. Eli Iserbyt 275 points
2. Pim Ronhaar 216 points
3. Lars Van der Haar 212 points
4. Joris Nieuwenhuis 210 points
5. Niels Vandeputte 179 points

The return of Pieterse and especially Van Empel were a breath of fresh air that added excitement, although they should not be a serious threat in the general classification. The arrival of these riders shook up a hornet's nest in which Alvarado had proclaimed herself the undisputed queen bee, despite the buzz of an opposition led by Brand and Bakker. 

Here is the general classification:

1. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado 282 points
2. Lucinda Brand 212 points
3. Puck Pieterse 180 points
4. Manon Bakker 177 points
5. Inge Van der Heijden 169 points

Another battle between Van der Poel, Van Aert and Pidcock: this time to conquer the crown of Hulst 

The CX World Cup is preparing for a new round in Hulst. The victory in the Dutch town is anticipated to be hard-fought in view of the line-up of riders who will start. The third clash of the season will mark the day, waiting for some other unexpected protagonist who wants to challenge logic.

Van der Poel is the favorite to win in Hulst. Despite having to face the Superprestige of Diegem and the Exact Cross of Loenhout beforehand, the brutal start of the season he is having -four victories in four races- place him as the main rival to beat.

The results already speak for themselves, although it is worth highlighting the superiority with which he has reached the finish line in the races he has competed in to date.

Van Aert is the one who could complicate things the most for Van der Poel. The Belgian has started worse than his great rival -he even sweated more than expected to take the Superprestige of Heusden-Zolder- but nobody doubts the potential capabilities he hides. With a resume to the height of very few, he is looking for a big impact that will change the orange tyranny that has been imposed in recent races.

Pidcock is another big name who could be in contention for the win. Although cyclocross is just a pastime as a preparation for his challenges next season, the British rider is capable of achieving great results if he is inspired.

On the other hand, Iserbyt, Ronhaar, Nieuwenhuis or Van der Haar are dangerous rivals and, although thinking about fighting with the big three may sound like dreaming too big, they have their chances and could surprise.

Van Empel, Pieterse and Alvarado: three-way duel for victory in Hulst

Alvarado's tyranny dominated the women's category with an iron fist and extended the dominance even when Pieterse returned to competition. However, Van Empel's overwhelming authority - twelve victories in thirteen races - did cause the baton to change hands. The only victory that eluded the brilliant Visma rider was the Gavere World Cup, where she finished second to Pieterse.

Victory will be hard to come by between a Pieterse who is back to her best, a Van Empel who seems predestined to win almost every time and an Alvarado who will ride with the tranquility of someone who has a huge cushion in the general classification.

Lurking behind will be Brand, Bakker, Van der Heijden, Bentveld or Schreiber.