Troyes CX World Cup 2023: favourites, times and how to watch

The CX World Cup moves to the French town of Troyes for the fourth race of the season. The event is the first race of the competition to take place after the UCI's controversial proposal. The main specialists will be fighting to lift their arms on Sunday, while the general classification is taking shape. In the women's category, the return of Pieterse is the biggest news.

How to watch the Troyes CX World Cup 2023

The Troyes CX World Cup will be held on Sunday 19 November. After racing in Belgium twice, the competition will cross the border into French territory. The broadcasts will be available on Eurosport, GCN -which will close in December- or Discovery+.

Timetable of the CX World Cup Troyes

Sunday, November 19

• 13:40 Women Elite
• 15:10 Men Elite

How is the CX World Cup coming to Troyes?

The season continues to tick off the calendar and the next stop is already in sight: Troyes will be important to draw the first conclusions of a campaign that will already have fought four battles. While waiting for the big stars of the sport to appear, the spotlight will be on the riders who are achieving the best results.

The CX World Cup has crowned three different riders in the three races so far. Nys won in Waterloo, Van der Haar followed him in Maasmechelen and Ronhaar did the same last week in Dendermonde. As usual, Iserbyt and Sweek - after overcoming a shaky start - are aiming high in the standings.

The Troyes race comes after the controversial words of Lappartient. The UCI director expressed the vital importance of this competition, putting on the table the proposal to veto the participation in the World Championships to those who do not compete fully in the World Cup. 

The calendar has decided that this Saturday there will once again be a Superprestige race, so it will be interesting to know if someone will choose again to forgo the start on Sunday in the World Cup.

In the women's category, Van Empel gave her dominance a break after missing Dendermonde. The Dutchwoman will again be absent in Troyes, although Pieterse will be back. Alvarado, leader in the general classification, will be looking to stay at the top of the rankings in order to keep up the consistency that has been paying off so far.

Van der Haar, Iserbyt, Ronhaar, Nys, Sweeck and Ronhaar top the list of favourites

Three races have been enough to certify what the forecasts had already predicted: the equality in the CX World Cup turns each race into an interesting battle in which anything can happen and nothing can be predicted. Without Van der Poel, Van Aert or Pidcock, other riders have taken the podium places.

The favourites can be divided into two groups. On the one hand, there are those who have already enjoyed a taste of victory. Lars Van der Haar has won the general classification with his well-known consistency and good performances in all the places he has raced so far.

Pim Ronhaar is on a high after winning his first race. The Dutchman also won the honours that belong to someone who is capable of winning a CX World Cup. The extra dose of energy and confidence that comes with a first victory could still be in the veins of the young Baloise Trek Lions rider.

Thibau Nys' dream start continued with a difficult race for the young Belgian in Maasmechelen. After being absent in Derdenmonde, he will be back on the pulse of the competition this weekend in Troyes.

On the other hand, those who have not yet won. Eli Iserbyt is second overall and will be looking for a win to round off the start of the season. Laurens Sweeck will be another of the roosters who will be ready to take a leading role.

In addition, other riders such as Felipe Orts, Vandebosch, Vanthurenhout or Vandeputte.

Pieterse takes the medal for most likely challenger to win in Troyes

The women's category regrets the absence of Van Empel - a favourite wherever she competes - but is happy to see the return of Pieterse. The versatile rider finished second in the first race of the season and has not been seen on the mud since then. Puck will be back in Troyes and, although she is not as experienced as her rivals, her past experience makes her the main favourite.

Even so, she will have to contend with riders who pose a direct threat. Alvarado - who is first overall - will try to put some distance between herself and Van Empel, while Backsted - who is only 19 - will try to achieve another great result.

As usual, Van der Heijden, Bakker or Van Alphen could be in the hunt for victory.